BVA9501721 
DOCKET NO.  93-09 876     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in
Muskogee, Oklahoma

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

K. E. Harrison, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active military service from December 1944
through August 1945 and from November 1946 through November 1949.
This matter is before the Board of Veteran's Appeals on appeal
from an August 1992 rating decision of the RO.

REMAND

A careful review of the service medical records shows that in
July 1945 the veteran reported having "roaring in the ears at
times."  He states that he had had roaring of the ears since his
time in the service and feels that the long exposure to loud
noises without ear protection in service caused this problem.  In
an April 1992 statement, the veteran indicated that he received
treatment for ringing in his ears after service, including most
recently from a private doctor in April 1991.  Records referable
to this treatment or otherwise in support of the veteran's
application for compensation are not present in the record.

In view of the foregoing, the case is REMANDED to the RO for the
following action:

1.  The RO should take appropriate steps to
contact the veteran and ask him to identify
all physicians and/or medical facilities
(hospitals or clinics) from which he
received treatment for his reported
tinnitus since service.  Upon receipt of
proper authorization from the veteran, the
RO should obtain copies of all records from
the identified sources.  The veteran also
should be asked to submit any other medical
evidence which would support his assertions
concerning the etiology of his claimed
tinnitus.

2.  When the foregoing development has been
completed, the claim should be reviewed by
the RO.  If the RO determines that the
veteran has presented a well-grounded
claim, then all appropriate development
should be undertaken in accordance with the
duty to assist under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a).
This should include the performance of a
medical examination, if warranted.  If the
decision remains adverse to the veteran, a
supplemental statement of the case should
be prepared and he and his representative
should be given a reasonable period of time
for reply.

Thereafter, the claim should be returned to the Board for further
review, if in order.  No action is required of the veteran until
he receives further notice.  The purpose of this REMAND is to
obtain additional information.  The Board does not intimate any
factual or legal conclusions as to the outcome ultimately
warranted in this appeal.

          STEPHEN L. WILKINS
          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).