BVA9506499 
DOCKET NO.  93-10 396     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in San Francisco,
California

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for residuals of a head
injury with headaches.

2.  Entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right
wrist injury.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: California Department of
Veterans Affairs

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

John Z. Jones, Associate Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active service from March 1971 to March 1975.

This appeal arises from a November 1991 rating decision of the
San Francisco, California, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Regional Office (RO).  A decision on the issue of service
connection for a right wrist injury is deferred pending
resolution of this remand.

The veteran contends that she suffers from migraine headaches as
the result of a head injury incurred during service.

The service medical records disclose that in October 1973 the
veteran fell at a construction site, injuring her right leg.  She
also complained of a head injury with loss of consciousness for
about a minute or two.  On objective examination, no neurological
deficits were noted, and X-ray examination of the skull was
normal.  In May 1974, she indicated that she had frequent severe
headaches or migraines.  On separation examination, she gave a
history of frequent or severe headaches.  The examiner noted a
history of supraorbital headache relieved with aspirin.

Records of private medical treatment, covering the years from
1981-1991, disclose that the veteran consistently complained of
headaches.  When she was seen in March 1981, she complained of
chronic headaches of 4 to 5 years' duration.  She had a history
of falling at a construction site, 4 to 6 years previously,
striking her head and losing consciousness for a minute or two.
Numerous tests had been performed in "recent times", most
recently in November 1980.

On the basis of the above and pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 19.9
(1994), the Board determines that further development of the
evidence is essential for a proper appellate decision and,
therefore, remands the matter to the RO for the following action:

1.  Ask the veteran to identify the health-
care provider, whether military or private,
who evaluated or treated her

for headaches prior to March 1981.  If she
can produce the medical records, she should
be encouraged to do so, otherwise, assist
her in obtaining them.

2.  Schedule the veteran for an examination
by a neurologist.  All indicated tests and
studies are to be performed.  The examiner
is to render an opinion as to: 1) Whether
the veteran has chronic headaches; 2) if
so, whether they are related to an acute
head injury in service; and 3) if not
related to head trauma, whether the present
condition is related to a history of
frequent or severe headaches in service,
described as supraorbital.  The claims
folder and a separate copy of this remand
must be made available to and reviewed by
the neurologist prior to the examination.

3.  Readjudicate the issue of service
connection for residuals of a head injury
with headaches.

If the benefit sought is denied, the veteran and her
representative should be provided a supplemental statement of the
case and the opportunity to respond.  Thereafter, the case should
be returned to the Board.

RENÉE M. PELLETIER
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) (1994).