BVA9508419 
DOCKET NO.  93-15 420     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Newark, New
Jersey

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for post-
traumatic stress disorder.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: New Jersey Department of
Military and Veterans' Affairs

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

D. B. Weiss, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active duty from July 1969 to April 1972.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) notes that in addition to
the issue stated on the title page, the veteran was given a
statement of the case covering the issue of an increased rating
for residuals of left eye injury.  This issue was withdrawn from
appellate review in the substantive appeal.

REMAND

Service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was granted
by rating action of January 1993, with assignment of a 30 percent
evaluation from January 1992.  A review of the evidence shows
that, when the veteran was hospitalized by the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) in January 1992, the diagnoses included
alcohol dependence, severe, cocaine dependence, severe, cannabis
dependence, severe, psychoactive substance abuse, and post-
traumatic stress disorder.  when he was hospitalized by the VA in
February 1992, the examiner noted that he had been hospitalized
in January 1992 for detoxification but had left before treatment
completion because of his mother's funeral.  He had resumed
drinking two days after discharge.  He described drinking beer
and use of cocaine.

At the veteran's VA post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
examination of August 1992, the diagnoses included major
depression, PTSD, and substance abuse of alcohol and cocaine.
However, the examiner did not explain what impairment was
attributable, respectively, to the respective disorders.  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 provides who
treated the veteran for PTSD

since March 1992.  After securing the
necessary release, the RO should attempt to
obtain these records.

2.  The veteran should be afforded a VA
psychiatric examination to determine the
severity of PTSD.  The examiner should
comment upon the etiological relationship,
if any, between any multiple diagnoses
rendered.  The examiner should provide an
opinion on the veteran's functional
impairment from the PTSD and from any
etiologically related diagnoses, by
utilizing the Global Assessment of
Functioning Scale found in the American
Psychiatric Association:  Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; an
explanation of the score assigned should be
provided by the examiner.  A separate
assessment of impairment due to drug abuse
should be provided as well, if such
impairment is shown by the examination and
review of the record.  The claims folder
must be provided to the examiner prior to
the examination.  Any indicated tests
should be performed.

3.  After the development requested above
has been completed to the extent possible,
the RO should again review the record.  If
any benefit sought on appeal, for which a
notice of disagreement has been filed,
remains denied, the appellant and
representative should be furnished a
supplemental statement of the case and
given the opportunity to respond thereto.

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 until otherwise
notified.

          V. L. JORDAN
          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).