Citation Nr: 18144793
Decision Date: 10/25/18	Archive Date: 10/25/18

DOCKET NO. 16-32 891
DATE:	October 25, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot condition is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran’s initial service connection claim was for a bilateral foot condition that was related to his kidney disability and diabetes.  The Veteran received a VA examination in March 2015.  The examiner noted the Veteran did not have bilateral edema of the feet and that his heel pain could be due to plantar calcaneal spurs.  The VA examiner did not provide an etiological opinion.
The Veteran’s service records indicated that the Veteran suffered from blisters and sores on both feet in service.  The Veteran has continued to complain of heel pan and severe pain when walking.  In a July 2016 statement, the Veteran stated that his bilateral foot condition was due to the damage caused by wearing his combat boots while running, jumping, and completing physical training.  Accordingly, the Board finds a new VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran’s current disability is due to his in-service complaints of blisters and sores.  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination with an appropriate clinician for his bilateral foot condition.  The claims folder must be reviewed in conjunction with the examination.  The examiner must identify all current conditions of the feet, and must opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not any such are related to the Veteran’s in-service foot problems.  Both those documented in service records and those reported by the Veteran must be discussed.
2. Then, readjudicate the claims.  If any decision is adverse to the Veteran, issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case and allow the applicable time for response.  Then return the case to the Board.

 
WILLIAM H. DONNELLY
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	R. Brunot, Associate Counsel