BVA9500837 
DOCKET NO.  93-11 619     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Jackson,
Mississippi

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased disability evaluation for bilateral
varicose veins, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Gregory D. Keenum, Attorney

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Anna Bryant, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active military service from November 1965 to
March 1966.

This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on
appeal from an April 1992 rating decision of the Jackson,
Mississippi, Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), which denied the veteran's claim seeking
entitlement to an increased disability evaluation for his
service-connected bilateral varicose veins.

REMAND

The veteran and his attorney contend that an increased disability
evaluation is warranted for the veteran's service-connected
bilateral varicose veins.  At the time of the veteran's hearing
on appeal before a hearing officer in January 1993, he testified
that he suffers from persistent pain in his legs and that he was
receiving outpatient treatment on a regular basis.  Review of the
evidentiary record reflects that the veteran has not been
afforded an examination for the purpose of determining the degree
of severity associated with his bilateral varicose veins since
December 1991.

Under the circumstances of this case, the Board concludes that
additional medical development of the record would be beneficial
prior to appellate disposition.  Accordingly, further appellate
consideration will be deferred and the case is REMANDED to the RO
for the following action:

1.  The veteran should be requested to
identify all sources of recent treatment
received by him for his

service-connected bilateral varicose veins,
and to furnish signed authorizations for
release to the VA of private medical
records in connection with each non-VA
source he identifies.  Copies of the
medical records from all sources he
identifies (not already in the claims
folder) should then be requested.  All
records obtained should be added to the
claims folder.

2.  The RO should schedule the veteran for
an examination by an appropriate specialist
for the purpose of determining the current
severity of his
service-connected bilateral varicose veins.
All indicated tests and studies should be
performed and reported in accordance with
the VA Physician's Guide for Disability
Evaluation Examinations.  Any functional
limitation of the legs due to pain should
be reported.  The claims folder should be
made available and reviewed by the examiner
prior to the examination of the veteran.

After the above development has been completed, the case should
again be reviewed by the RO.  If the determination remains
adverse to the veteran, he and his attorney should be furnished a
supplemental statement of the case which summarizes the pertinent
evidence, fully cites the applicable legal provisions, and
reflects detailed reasons and bases for the decision reached.

The veteran and his attorney should be given the opportunity to
respond thereto.  Thereafter, the case should be returned to the
Board for further appellate consideration, if otherwise in order,
following appropriate appellate procedures.  The purpose of the
REMAND is to further develop the record.  The Board does not

intimate any opinion, either factual or legal, as to the ultimate
disposition warranted in this case.  No action is required of the
veteran until he receives further notice.

          GARY L. GICK
          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).