BVA9501204 
DOCKET NO.  93-07 251     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to a permanent and total disability evaluation for
pension purposes.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

J.W. Engle, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran served on active duty from July 1967 to July 1971.

Review of the record reveals that the appellant has not been
employed on a regular basis since his discharge from service in
July 1971.  While he has been medically evaluated on numerous
occasions for various complaints and disorders, there is no
evidence of record that the appellant has been provided a social
and industrial survey in an effort to specifically address his
employability in light of his numerous medical problems.
Furthermore, the record reflects that the appellant has applied
for Social Security Administration disability benefits.  However,
there is no indication as to the outcome of that claim.  The
Board notes that in Social Security Administration disability
determinations are relevant to a determination of whether an
appellant is able to secure and follow a substantially gainful
occupation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.17, and the Department of Veterans
Affairs duty to assist includes seeking to obtain these records.
Murincsak v. Derwinski, 2 Vet.App. 363, 370, 372 (1992).

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 attempt to locate and
obtain a copy of the complete file
associated with the appellant's reported
claim for Social Security disability
benefits.  The records may be obtained
under the authority of 38 U.S.C.A. § 5106
(1992).  Any unsuccessful attempts to
obtain records should be documented in the
claims folder.

2.  The veteran should be afforded a VA
social and industrial survey to assess the
veteran's employment history and day-to-day
functioning.  A written copy of the report
should be inserted into the claims folder.

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.

          C.P. RUSSELL
          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).