Citation Nr: 1319740	
Decision Date: 06/19/13    Archive Date: 06/27/13

DOCKET NO.  10-47 646	)	DATE
	)
	)

On appeal from the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Detroit, Michigan


THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disability.

2.  Entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disability.

3.  Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).


REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by:	Disabled American Veterans


ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

A. Barone, Counsel



INTRODUCTION

The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from April 1979 to July 1980.  This matter is before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2009 rating decision of the Detroit, Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  In the Veteran's December 2010 VA Form 9, substantive appeal, she requested a hearing before the Board.

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 her December 2010 VA Form 9 (substantive appeal), the Veteran requested a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.  In June 2013, the Veteran's representative submitted a written statement directing attention to the fact that the Veteran's request was overlooked and expressing that the Veteran has not withdrawn her request.  Because the Board may not proceed with an adjudication of the Veteran's claims without affording her the opportunity for such a hearing, and because videoconference hearings are scheduled by the RO, a remand is required.  See 38 U.S.C.A. § 7107(b) (West 2002); 38 C.F.R. § 20.700(a) (2012).

Accordingly, the case is REMANDED for the following action:

Arrangements should be made for the Veteran to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing at her local RO.  Notice of such hearing should be mailed to her at her current mailing address.  The case should then be processed in accordance with established appellate practices.

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).



_________________________________________________
George R. Senyk
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).