BVA9405779
DOCKET NO.  93-18 091     )       DATE
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THE ISSUES

Entitlement to service connection for chondromalacia patellae, right
knee.

Entitlement to service connection for chondromalacia patellae, left
knee.

Entitlement to service connection for a left hip disorder.

Entitlement to service connection for gastritis.

Entitlement to service connection for hallux valgus, right great toe.

Entitlement to service connection for hallux valgus, left great toe.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

R.M. Pelletier, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The appellant served on active duty from June 1982 to February 1990.

This appeal arises from a December 1991 rating decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Anchorage, Alaska, Regional
Office (RO), denying entitlement to service connection for
chondromalacia patellae, right knee, chondromalacia patellae, left
knee, a left hip disorder, gastritis, hallux valgus, right great toe,
and for hallux valgus, left great toe.  During the pendency of this
claim, jurisdiction was transferred to the Montgomery, Alabama, RO.
During her August 1993 hearing, the issue of entitlement to service
connection for sero-negative arthritis of multiple joints was raised.
This issue is not inextricably intertwined with the current appeal
and is referred to the RO for the appropriate development.

REMAND

The appellant has requested service-connection for the disabilities
stated on the title page.  A hearing was held on August 3, 1993, in
Montgomery, Alabama, before a member of the Board section rendering
the final determination in this claim who was designated by the
Chairman to conduct this hearing, pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 7102(b)
(West 1991).  During the course of her testimony, the appellant
indicated that the claims folder was incomplete, as it contained only
service medical records dated from 1988 to 1990.  Records from June
1982 to 1988 had not been associated with the claims folder.  A
review of the claims folder verifies her statement.  She also
testified that she had been receiving treatment at the Birmingham,
Alabama, VA medical center.  Those records have not been associated
with the claims folder.

On VA Form 21-526, Veteran's Application for Compensation or Pension,
received in 1991, the appellant alleged treatment from September 1983
to August 1985 at the David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force
Base (AFB), California.  She claimed treatment from 1985 to 1987 at
the George AFB Regional Hospital, California, and at the Osan AFB,
Korea, from 1987 to 1988.

The VA has a duty to assist the appellant in the development of facts
pertinent to the claim.  38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a) (West 1991)
This includes obtaining service medical records.  Goodwin v.
Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 419 (1991).

Under the circumstances, the case is remanded for the following:

1.  The RO is to contact the appropriate
authorities and request copies of the
appellant's service medical records dated from
June 1982 to 1988.  Contacts should include
requests for records from the Air Force medical
facilities at Travis AFB, George AFB and Osan
AFB.  Any records obtained are to be associated
with the claims folder.

2.  The RO is to obtain and associate with the
claims folder, copies of the VA Birmingham,
Alabama, VA Medical Center records concerning
the veteran's treatment at that facility.

Following completion of this action, the RO is to review the case to
determine if the claim may be granted.  Thereafter, if the claim
remains denied, the veteran and her representative should be
furnished a supplemental statement of the case.  They should be
afforded the appropriate period of time within which to respond
thereto, at their option, as provided by governing regulation.  Then,
if otherwise in order, the case should be returned to the Board after
compliance with all requisite appellate procedures.

BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20420

*
          (MEMBER TEMPORARILY ABSENT)     H. STERLING, M.D.

          HOLLY E. MOEHLMANN

          (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

*38 U.S.C.A. § 7102(a)(2)(A) (West 1991) permits a Board of Veterans'
Appeals Section, upon direction of the Chairman of the Board, to
proceed with the transaction of business without awaiting assignment
of an additional member to the Section when the Section is composed
of fewer than three Members due to absence of a Member, vacancy on
the Board or inability of the Member assigned to the Section to serve
on the panel.  The Chairman has directed that the Section proceed
with the transaction of business, including the issuance of
decisions, without awaiting the assignment of a third Member.

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).