Citation Nr: 18144074 Decision Date: 10/23/18 Archive Date: 10/23/18 DOCKET NO. 11-27 904 DATE: October 23, 2018 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted. FINDING OF FACT The evidence of record favors a finding that bilateral plantar fasciitis was incurred during active duty service. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303 (2017). REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran had active service from September 1981 to October 2001. Initially, the Board notes that the Veteran claimed entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat feet in March 2010 and bilateral plantar fasciitis in April 2010. The Regional Office (RO) denied entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat feet in a June 2012 rating decision, and the Veteran did not file a notice of disagreement with that rating decision. The Veteran has not indicated that he wishes to claim service connection for any other foot disability, and has exclusively made contentions as to his bilateral plantar fasciitis. Accordingly, the current appeal pertains to plantar fasciitis exclusively. Service connection may be granted for a disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110 (2012); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a) (2017). The Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral plantar fasciitis. See April 2010 private treatment record. The Veteran maintains that this disability began during his period of service. Service treatment records do not show any complaints of, diagnoses of, or treatment for, any foot pain. However, the Veteran has competently reported that pain in his heel and feet had onset in 1999 during the last two years of his service, and that he purchased his own boots that had higher arch supports to relieve the pain. See April 2010 Statement in Support of Claim; April 2012 VA examination. He further stated that shortly after he retired from service, the pain in his feet worsened with sharp stabbing pains in his heels, and he sought podiatric treatment in June 2002 from R.B., DPM. The Veteran competently asserts that his podiatrist diagnosed bilateral plantar fasciitis at that time. Post-service evidence in the form of an Invoice from his podiatrist indeed confirms that he sought treatment from R.B., DPM, in June 2002, and was prescribed functional orthotic inserts. Although no diagnosis is shown on the Invoice, a subsequent podiatry treatment report dated on April 26, 2010 references the fact that the Veteran had past treatments for plantar fasciitis, which included “[p]rescription arch supports several years ago which initially helped the condition,” suggesting that the Veteran was indeed diagnosed with, and treated for plantar fasciitis years prior. Notably, at the April 26, 2010 assessment, the treating podiatrist similarly advised that the Veteran should again be fitted for replacement prescription orthotics to treat his plantar fasciitis. The Veteran has submitted additional statements from his spouse, similarly attesting to observing the Veteran’s troubles with foot and heel pain in service and his plantar fasciitis diagnosis. The Board finds no reason to call into question the Veteran’s and his spouse’s competent lay assertions of in-service onset of heel pain, and that a podiatrist diagnosed the Veteran with plantar fasciitis in June 2002. The fact that the Veteran sought care just months following his discharge for his heel pain, was prescribed orthotics at the time, and subsequent treatment records confirm that the orthotics prescription was indeed for plantar fasciitis, lends credibility to the Veteran’s statements regarding in-service incurrence. Although the Veteran’s service records do not document treatment for foot or heel pain, the Veteran has already indicated that his symptoms did not start until 1999, and that when he had symptoms, he self-treated by purchasing his own boots and inserts in service. There are no medical opinions of record that cast doubt on a finding that the Veteran’s bilateral plantar fasciitis disability had in-service onset. Resolving all remaining doubt in the Veteran’s favor, the benefit sought on appeal is granted under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a). Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Polly Johnson, Associate Counsel