BVA9500462 
DOCKET NO.  93-07 292     )       DATE
          )
          )

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

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased (compensable) evaluation for a right
wrist disability.

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Daniel J. McTavish, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had reserve service in 1979.  She served on active
duty from November 1990 to September 1991.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board)
on the appeal of a July 1992 rating decision by the Montgomery,
Alabama Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), granting service connection for right hypothenar
atrophy and assigning a noncompensable evaluation.  The veteran
has appealed for assignment of a compensable evaluation.

REMAND

The Board observes that the April 1992 rating examination, which,
in part, formed the basis for the July 1992 grant of service
connection for the veteran's right wrist disability, was a
general medical examination.  The veteran has reported that she
experiences radiating pain with numbness and weakness in the
right wrist.  In view of her complaints, and in light of the
passage of time since the April 1992 examination (see Caffrey v.
Brown, 6 Vet.App. 377 (1994)). the Board finds that current
examinations, by appropriate specialists, should be conducted.
This is particularly true in light of VA's duty to assist the
veteran in the development of facts pertinent to her claim.  38
U.S.C.A. 5107(a) (West 1991).  Accordingly, this case is REMANDED
to the RO for the following:

1.  The RO should contact the veteran and
ask her to identify all current sources of
medical treatment for her right wrist
disability.  If pertinent treatment is
identified, available records should be
obtained for review in compliance with
appropriate procedure.

2.  The RO should then schedule the veteran
for special VA orthopedic and neurology
evaluations in order to ascertain the
current severity of her right wrist
disability.  All indicated special studies
or tests should be performed and all
clinical findings should be set forth in
detail.  The examiners should be asked to
comment on the extent of any functional
loss due to right wrist disability,
including any impairment due to pain,
weakness or numbness.  The claims folder
should be made available to the examiners
for review prior to the examinations.
3.  Following completion of the above
actions, the RO should again review this
case with respect to the claim for an
increased (compensable) rating for right
wrist disability under all applicable law
and regulations including, but not limited
to, 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.321 and 4.40.  If the
decision remains adverse to the veteran,
the RO should issue a supplemental
statement of the case summarizing the
evidence, and law and regulations, and
explaining how the law and regulations
apply to the evidence.  The RO should
afford the veteran 60 days to respond to
the supplemental statement of the case
before the matter is returned to the Board
for further final adjudication, if
otherwise in order.  38 C.F.R. § 20.302(c)
(1993).

The purpose of this REMAND is to procure clarifying data.  No
action is required of the veteran until further notice.

          D. C. SPICKLER
          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).