BVA9501492 
DOCKET NO.  93-12 424     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in San Juan,
Puerto Rico

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for duodenal ulcer
disease, currently rated 10 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Hilary L. Goodman, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active service from August 1943 to February 1946.
This appeal arises from a June 1990 rating decision continuing a
10 percent disability evaluation for duodenal ulcer disease.

It has been contended that the June 1990 rating decision is not
consistent with the evidence as the veteran's health has
deteriorated as the result of his worsening duodenal ulcer
disease.  The veteran's representative notes that there has not
been a recent, comprehensive medical examination by the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board), having reviewed the
record, finds that further development is required.  Accordingly,
the issue is being REMANDED to the originating agency for the
following action:

1.  The originating agency should request
copies of all of the treatment records,
both inpatient and outpatient, dated
subsequent to May 1990 from the VA Medical
Center, San Juan.  All documents obtained
should be associated with the veteran's
claims file.

2.  After obtaining the requested medical
records, the originating agency should
schedule the veteran for a
gastroenterologic examination to evaluate
the current severity of the duodenal ulcer
disease.  All necessary tests and studies
should be performed and all clinical
manifestations should be reported in
detail.  The examiner should be given
access to the veteran's claims file for a
sufficient period of time to allow for a
review of the record in connection with the
examination.

3.  Upon completion of the above, the
originating agency should review this case.
If any determination made is unfavorable to
the veteran, a supplemental statement of
the case which sets forth the evidence
received since the statement of the case
and includes comprehensive reasons for the
decision should be issued to the veteran
and his representative.

The veteran and his representative should be given the
appropriate period of time in which to respond.  Thereafter, the
case should be returned to the Board for further appellate
consideration, if otherwise in order.  No action is required of
the veteran until he receives further notice.

          CHARLES E. HOGEBOOM
          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 action has been taken in
accordance with the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994,
Pub. L. No. 103-446, § 303, 108 Stat. 4645, ___ (1994), and 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).