BVA9502869 
DOCKET NO.  93-06 628     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Boston,
Massachusetts

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric
disorder.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

T. Hal Smith

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from July 1983 to July 1985.

This appeal arose from a rating decision of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Boston in September
1991 which denied entitlement to service connection for a
psychiatric disability.

REMAND

The veteran argues that he first experienced psychiatric problems
in service.  His service medical records show that on his initial
psychiatric hospitalization in 1985, the diagnoses included rule
out brief psychotic episode.  However, the subsequent service
medical records state specifically that there was no evidence of
psychosis and reflect a diagnosis of histrionic and dependent
character traits.  The post service treatment records refect
diagnoses of acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar
disorder, beginning approximately five years after service.
However, the post service record also includes a VA Treatment
Summary/Assessment of April 1992 which states that the veteran
had his first episode of atypical bipolar disorder (depression)
in service following an extended period in which he experienced
multiple stressors.  The Board is of the opinion the additional
medical opinion is in order on the question of whether an
acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset in service.

In view of the foregoing, the case is REMANDED for the following
action:

1.  The RO should obtain copies of all of
the veteran's treatment records from the VA
Medical Center and Outpatient Clinic,
Boston, Massachusetts, which date from
early 1992 to the present time, and
associate these records with the claims
file.

2.  The RO should ask the veteran to submit
any other current records of psychiatric
treatment or, alternatively, to submit the
names and addresses of the providers of
such treatment.  The RO should then take
the necessary steps to obtain these
records.

3.. When this development is completed, the
RO should schedule the veteran for VA
psychiatric examination by a Board of two
examiners in order to obtain additional
information on the nature and etiology of
any chronic acquired psychiatric disorder
currently shown.  The claims file and a
copy of this remand must be made available
for review prior to the examination.  Any
indicated diagnostic tests should be
performed.  The examiners are requested to
answer the following questions: (1) What
are the current diagnoses; and (2) Did any
acquired psychiatric disorder which is
currently shown have its onset during
service, or, in the case of any psychosis,
within one year of separation from service?
The reasoning which forms the basis of the
opinion should be set forth in detail.

When this development is completed, the claim should be reviewed
by the RO.  If the benefits sought are not granted, the veteran
and his representative should be provided with a supplemental
statement of the case, and given an opportunity to respond
thereto.

          NANCY I. PHILLIPS
          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).