BVA9506407 
DOCKET NO.  93-16 394     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Montgomery,
Alabama

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to an increased evaluation for a left knee
disability, post-arthrotomy, currently rated at 10 percent.

2.  Entitlement to an increased evaluation for Henoch's purpura,
with abdominal pain, currently rated at 10 percent.

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

C. M. Flatley, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active service from April 1956 to February 1958.

In his May 1993 substantive appeal, the veteran alleged
entitlement to increased compensation based upon poor circulation
in the legs and increased varicose veins, apparently associated
with his service-connected left knee disability.  It is unclear
whether the veteran wishes to pursue a secondary service
connection claim in this regard.  The matter is referred to the
regional office (RO) for appropriate action.

REMAND

Review of the record indicates that the veteran has submitted a
well-grounded claim.  38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a) (West 1991).  The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) therefore has a duty to
assist the veteran in the development of facts pertinent to his
claim.  38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a); Murphy v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App.
78, 81-82 (1990).  In this regard, the veteran has asserted that
impairment associated with his left knee disability and Henoch's
purpura is more severe than his current ratings reflect.  A
private medical statement dated in October 1992 shows complaints
of decreased range of motion and instability of the left knee.
No instability or appreciable limitation of motion was found on
VA examination in March 1993.

A private medical statement received in February 1993 also
reflects a diagnosis of abdominal pain of unknown etiology.
Although not accomplished, laboratory and X-ray findings were
recommended.  In light of the evidence of record and the
veteran's assertion as to increased impairment, additional
clinical data may prove helpful in the evaluation of the
veteran's claim.

In order to fully assist the veteran in the development of his
case, therefore, and extend to the veteran every equitable
consideration, the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) concludes
that additional development is warranted.  As such, this case is
REMANDED for the following:

1.  After any necessary information and
authorization are obtained from the veteran,
copies of any recent treatment records, VA or
private, inpatient or outpatient, associated
with the veteran's left knee disability and
Henoch's purpura with abdominal pain should be
obtained by the RO and incorporated into the
claims folder.

2.  The veteran should then be afforded special
VA orthopedic and gastrointestinal examinations
to determine the extent and severity of his left
knee disability and Henoch's purpura with
abdominal pain, respectively.  The examinations
should be conducted in accordance with the
appropriate provisions of the VA's Physician's
Guide for Disability Evaluation Examinations.
All indicated studies required to identify any
relevant pathology should be conducted.  The
examination reports should include a medical
history with notation of any time lost from
employment due to the disabilities at issue and
a full description of the veteran's symptoms,
clinical findings, and associated functional
impairment.  All findings should be recorded in
detail.  The veteran's claims folder should be
provided to the examiners for review prior to
the examination.

3.  The RO should then review the veteran's
claim, to include consideration of 38 C.F.R.
§ 3.321(b)(1).  The veteran should then be
provided with a supplemental statement of the
case, which includes any additional pertinent
law and regulations and a full discussion of
action taken on the veteran's claim.  The
applicable response time should be allowed.

The case should then be returned to the Board, if in order, after
compliance with customary appellate procedures.  No action is
required of the veteran until he is so informed.  The Board
intimates no opinion as to the ultimate decision warranted in
this case, pending completion of the requested development.

          CHARLES E. HOGEBOOM
          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).