BVA9503308 
DOCKET NO.  93-11 686     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Albuquerque,
New Mexico

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for
arteriosclerotic heart disease, post coronary artery bypass
surgery.

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

M. Reynolds, Associate Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active duty from November 1960 to May 1986.  The
veteran has raised questions about the recent Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) examination.  He contends that reference
was made to a treadmill test which was not conducted.

To ensure that VA has met its duty to assist the appellant in
developing the facts pertinent to the claim, the case is REMANDED
to the regional office (RO) for the following development:

1.  The RO should obtain the names and
addresses of all medical care providers who
treated the veteran for his coronary artery
disease since 1991.  After securing the
necessary releases, the RO should obtain
any records which are not already of
record.

2.  The veteran should be afforded a VA
cardiovascular examination to determine the
nature and extent of his service connected
heart disorder.  The claims folder should
be made available to the examiner for
review before the examination.  All
indicated tests and studies should be
performed, including a treadmill test, if
it is found to be necessary.  It is
requested that the examiner furnish
functional and therapeutic classifications,
such as those utilized by the New York
Heart Association, for the veteran's
condition.

Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board, if in
order.  The Board intimates no opinion as to the ultimate outcome
of this case.  The appellant need take no action unless otherwise
notified.

___________________________
LAWRENCE M. SULLIVAN
Member, Board of Veterans' Appeals

          (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

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).