Donald W.
Datlow, M.D., who was then a member of the Board and who was
designated by the Chairman to conduct that hearing, pursuant
to 38 U.S.C.A. § 7102(b)(West 1991). As Dr. Datlow is no
longer a member of the Board, the veteran was notified in
August 1994 that he was entitled to an additional hearing
before a member of the Board who would render a decision in
his case. In November 1994, the veteran responded that he
did not wish to testify at an additional hearing.
The Board remanded the case in March 1993 for additional
development of the evidence. In part, the RO was instructed
to adjudicate the issue of entitlement to service connection
for a crush injury of the entire right hand, neuropathy and
arthritis and service connection for residuals of a right
shoulder injury to include arthritis. Byrating decision in
December 1993, the RO denied entitlement to service
connection for arthritis of the right shoulder and hand and
entitlement to service connection for a crush injury of the
right hand to include carpal tunnel syndrome. A
supplemental statement of the case was issued only with
regard to the rating to be assigned the service connected
fractured right fifth metacarpal and entitlement to service
connection for arthritis of the right hand. Thereafter, in
January 1994, the veteran responded to the Supplemental
Statement of the Case and requested that his records be
forwarded to the Board. By letter to the veteran dated in
February l994, the RO informed him of the denial of service
connection for crush injury to the right hand, carpal tunnel
syndrome and arthritis of the right shoulder and of his
appellate rights. Later that month, a statement was
received