BVA9405863
DOCKET NO.  93-04 030     )       DATE
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THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder.

2.  Entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disorder.

3.  Entitlement to service connection for a left calf disorder.

4.  Entitlement to service connection for residuals of a laceration
of the left thigh.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Carolyn Wiggins, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from April 1971 until June 1974.

This appeal arises from an October 1992 rating decision which denied
service connection for a left knee disorder, a left ankle disorder, a
left calf disorder and residuals of a laceration of the left thigh.

The issues of service connection for a left ankle disorder, a left
calf disorder and residuals of a laceration of the left thigh are
held in abeyance until completion of development of the veteran's
claim for service connection for a left knee disorder.

REMAND

On a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) examination the veteran
gives a history of twisting his left knee in 1972.  He told the
examiner he was air evacuated to Keesler Field.  He said he was
hospitalized for three days and then returned to duty.  The service
separation examination of May 1974 indicates that the veteran stated
that his right knee occasionally locks on him.  He said he was seen
by a physician and no pathology was demonstrated.  On the Veteran's
Application for Compensation or Pension he stated he was treated for
left knee, calf and ankle problems at Keesler Air Force Base in 1973
and by the Shreveport, Louisiana, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Medical Center in 1974-1975.  The RO has noted this treatment, but
the Board is unable to determine whether such records have been
requested of the Shreveport Medical Center.

Although a request for information form was sent to the National
Personnel Records Center (NPRC) it did not include a specific request
for records of the veteran's treatment for a left knee injury in 1972
or 1973 at Keesler Air Force Base, in Biloxi, Mississippi.  VA
Adjudication Procedure Manual, M21-1, Part III, Chapter 4, Requests
for Service Records 4.02 (b) (2) (b), (e) and (h) states that
inpatient treatment records should appear in the veteran's individual
health record.  However, clinical records are retained by the
treating facility and are not filed with the individual health
records.  The medical facility normally retires its records to NPRC
by year.  Clinical records are filed chronologically with the given
year by facility.  Air Force records may still be in the possession
of the treating facility or in the possession of the veteran if they
were not properly transferred to NPRC.

When the veteran has supplied specific information about the dates
and times of treatment for a claimed disability the VA must assist
the veteran by making a "reasonably exhaustive search" for relevant
treatment records.  Dixon v. Derwinski, 3 Vet.App. 261 (1992).  The
VA has a duty to assist the veteran in the development of all facts
pertinent to his claim.  38 U.S.C.A. § 5107 (a) (West 1991); 38
C.F.R. § 3.103(a) (1993).  The United States Court of Veterans
Appeals has held that the duty to assist the veteran in obtaining
available facts and evidence to support his claim includes obtaining
pertinent evidence that applies to all relevant facts.  Sanders v.
Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 88 (1990); Murphy v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 78
(1990); Littke v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 90 (1990); and Seavey v.
Derwinski, 2 Vet.App. 262 (1992).  Accordingly, this case is REMANDED
to the RO for the following actions:

1.  The Regional Office (RO) should contact the
veteran and inquire whether he has any service
medical records in his possession.  They should
also request that the veteran state what month
and year and what claimed disabilities he was
treated for at Keesler Air Force Base.

2.  The RO should contact the NPRC and request
that they search the records of the medical
facility at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi,
for clinical records for the month and year
supplied by the veteran.

3.  The RO should contact Keesler Air Force Base
and request that they search the records at
their medical facility records for records of
treatment of the veteran.

4.  Copies of all treatment records should be
obtained from the Shreveport, Louisiana, VA
Medical Center and should be associated with the
claims file.

Following completion of the above actions, the case should be
reviewed by the RO.  If the benefits sought remain denied, the
veteran and his representative should be provided with an appropriate
supplemental statement of the case and given the opportunity to
respond.  The case should then be returned to the Board for further
appellate review.

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

                  *
                 NANCY PHILLIPS           (MEMBERS TEMPORARILY ABSENT)

          SAMUEL W. WARNER

*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).