Citation Nr: 18155017
Decision Date: 12/04/18	Archive Date: 12/03/18

DOCKET NO. 16-61 704
DATE:	December 4, 2018
ORDER
Entitlement to service connection for bilateral achilles tendonitis, including burning bilateral heel and plantar foot pain, is granted.
FINDING OF FACT
The Veteran’s symptoms of burning bilateral heel and plantar foot pain are attributable to a disability that is etiologically related to in-service symptomatology, including bilateral achilles tendonitis.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria for service connection for bilateral achilles tendonitis, including burning bilateral heel and plantar foot pain, have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107(b) (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303 (2018).
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The Veteran had active service from June 1982 to June 1986 and July 1992 to November 2013.  
Service Connection
Generally, in order to establish service connection for the claimed disability, there must be (1) evidence of a current disability; (2) evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and (3) evidence of a nexus between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the current disability. See Hickson v. West, 12 Vet. App. 247, 253 (1999). The requirement of a current disability is “satisfied when a claimant has a disability at the time a claim for VA disability compensation is filed or during the pendency of that claim.” See McClain v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 319, 321 (2007).
Entitlement to service connection for bilateral achilles tendonitis
The Veteran contends that his bilateral achilles tendonitis is the result of his active service. 
The Veteran’s service treatment records (STRs) indicate complaint and treatment for bilateral foot pain. Further, his November 2013 Separation Examination indicates a diagnosis of bilateral achilles tendonitis with the Veteran indicating “pain for about ten years.”
In April 2014, the Veteran attended a VA Ankle Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) examination. The Veteran reported that he was treated for bilateral achilles tendonitis in service since 2004 and has had chronic bilateral heel pain. Upon examination, normal range of motion was noted in the bilateral ankles with no pain. The examiner further noted that there was no objective evidence of bilateral achilles tendonitis on examination. 
In a December 2016 letter, the Veteran’s VA physician, Dr. S.F. indicated that the Veteran has had burning bilateral heel and plantar foot pain since the military and it has been very difficult to diagnose and treat over the years. She noted that the Veteran was initially diagnosed with Achilles tendonitis when he first presented with this pain in the military but she suspected that this was a working diagnosis and treatments for Achilles tendonitis failed.  She further noted that the actual etiology of the Veteran’s pain has been elusive but “I believe this is the same pain he has had since the military.” 
Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that the Veteran’s symptoms of burning bilateral heel and plantar foot pain are attributable to a disability that is etiologically related to in-service symptomatology, including bilateral achilles tendonitis.  
 
TANYA SMITH
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	R.A. Elliott II, Associate Counsel