Citation Nr: 1304658	
Decision Date: 02/08/13    Archive Date: 02/19/13

DOCKET NO.  10-37 279	)	DATE
	)
	)

On appeal from the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Nashville, Tennessee


THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for a back disorder.

2.  Entitlement to service connection for Legg-Perthes syndrome.

3.  Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and/or disturbed mind.


REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by:	Tennessee Department of Veterans' Affairs


ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Siobhan Brogdon, Counsel


INTRODUCTION

The Veteran served on active duty from October 27, 1981 to November 18, 1981. 

This appeal comes before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Board of Veterans Appeals (Board) from rating decisions of the VA Regional Office in Nashville, Tennessee that denied service connection for a back disorder, Legg-Perthes syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and/or disturbed mind.

Following review of the record, the appeal is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.  VA will notify the appellant if further action is required.


REMAND

In a December 2012 VA form 9 the Veteran requested a Board hearing at a local VA office.  As such matter must be addressed prior to further consideration and adjudication of the claims on appeal, the RO must schedule the Veteran for a Travel Board hearing.  See 38 U.S.C.A. § 7107 (West 2002 & West 2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 20.703, 20.704 (2012).

Accordingly, the case is REMANDED for the following action:

Schedule the Veteran for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in accordance with applicable procedures.  Inform the appellant that if he subsequently decides he does not want a hearing, he should withdraw the hearing request in writing to the RO.  Thereafter return the case to the Board.

The appellant has the right to submit additional evidence and argument on the matter or matters the Board has remanded. Kutscherousky v. West, 12 Vet. App. 369 (1999).

This claim must be afforded expeditious treatment.  The law requires that all claims that are remanded by the Board of Veterans Appeals or by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for additional development or other appropriate action must be handled in an expeditious manner. See 38 U.S.C.A. §§ 5109B, 7112 (West Supp. 2012).



_________________________________________________
DEREK R. BROWN
Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans Appeals

Under 38 U.S.C.A. § 7252 (West 2002), only a decision of the Board of Veterans Appeals is appealable to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.  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) (2012).