Citation Nr: 0003915	
Decision Date: 02/15/00    Archive Date: 02/23/00

DOCKET NO.  97-28 416	)	DATE
	)
	)

On appeal from the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Des Moines, 
Iowa


THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased rating for chronic maxillary 
sinusitis status post septoplasty, currently evaluated as 10 
percent disabling.  


REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by:	AMVETS


WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant


ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

B.E. Jordan, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active military service from February 1991 to 
January 1994.

This appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) arises 
from a rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA) Regional Office (RO) in Des Moines, Iowa.  


REMAND

In a correspondence dated in January 2000, the veteran 
requested a hearing before a member of the Board in Des 
Moines, Iowa.  This request was lodged after this matter had 
been transferred to the Board.  

In light of these circumstances, the case is REMANDED to the 
RO for the following actions:  

1.  The RO should schedule a travel Board 
hearing.

2.  Thereafter, the RO should review the 
claims file and ensure that all 
developmental actions have been conducted 
and completed in full.  Then, the RO 
should undertake any other indicated 
development and readjudicate the issue on 
appeal.  

3.  If the benefit sought on appeal is 
not granted to the satisfaction of the 
veteran, a Supplemental Statement of the 
Case should be issued and the veteran and 
his representative provided with an 
appropriate opportunity to respond.  
Thereafter, the case should be returned 
to the Board for further consideration, 
if otherwise in order.  

By this REMAND, the Board intimates no opinion as to the 
final outcome warranted.  No action is required of the 
veteran until he is otherwise notified by the RO.  

The appellant has the right to submit additional evidence and 
argument on the matter or matters the Board has remanded to 
the regional office.  Kutscherousky v. West, 12 Vet. App. 369 
(1999).


		
	F. JUDGE FLOWERS
	Member, Board of Veterans' Appeals

Under 38 U.S.C.A. § 7252 (West 1991 & Supp. 1999), only a 
decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals is appealable to 
the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.  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) (1999).