Citation Nr: 19190832 Decision Date: 12/03/19 Archive Date: 12/03/19 DOCKET NO. 18-47 915 DATE: December 3, 2019 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served honorably on active duty with the United States Army from November 2009 to May 2017. Although the Board regrets the delay, the matter on appeal must be remanded for additional development to ensure there is a complete record on which to decide the Veteran’s claim. In his September 2018 VA Form 9, the Veteran wrote that he “now suffers from regular pain in my feet that is only exacerbated through use.” He described pain severe enough that he walks with a limp and noted that the use of arch supports does not provide relief. He also wrote the he has experienced bunions related to pes planus. The Veteran indicated that “medical professionals” had examined him and provided additional proof for his case. Aside from VA treatment records, which do not show treatment for pes planus, the only medical evidence available is an August 2017 private medical treatment note documenting “advanced pronatory collapse with loss of longitudinal arch throughout stance and gait,” tenderness on palpation of the right foot, and “early hallux valgus.” The note further provided, “[n]o large bunion development.” A veteran is entitled to a new VA examination where there is evidence that the condition has worsened since the last examination. Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400 (1997). The Veteran’s last VA examination concerning his pes planus was completed in January 2017. Given his assertions in his VA Form 9, as well as the August 2017 private treatment note suggesting the Veteran’s pes planus is worse than documented during his VA examination, the Board finds that a new examination is warranted. Considering the Veteran’s statement that medical professionals examined him and provided proof for his case, the RO should attempt to obtain any outstanding medical treatment records concerning the severity of the Veteran’s bilateral pes planus. Accordingly, the matter is REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain and associate with the claims file any outstanding VA treatment records. 2. With any necessary assistance from the Veteran, attempt to obtain any outstanding private medical treatment records related to the treatment and evaluation of the Veteran’s bilateral pes planus. All attempts to obtain such records should be documented in the claims file. 3. Then, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The examiner should use the most recent DBQ examination form applicable to the Veteran’s disability. The Veteran’s electronic claims file should be made available to the examiner, and the examiner is requested to review the claims file and indicate that such review was accomplished in the examination report. In discussing the relevant clinical findings, the examiner should specifically note the Veteran’s current complaints, symptoms, any interference with daily and/or occupational activities, and the level of disability. If the examiner is not able to answer any questions without resort to speculation, the reasons for this inability should be provided, and what, if any, additional evidence would be necessary before an opinion could be rendered. 4. Then, readjudicate the Veteran’s claim. If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran should be furnished a supplemental statement of the case and given the opportunity to respond. The case should then be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration L. CHU Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board G. T. Raftery, Associate Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.