Citation Nr: 21069217 Decision Date: 11/17/21 Archive Date: 11/17/21 DOCKET NO. 08-22 905 DATE: November 17, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for a foot disorder, to include pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is granted. FINDING OF FACT Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, his foot disorder is at least as likely as not related to service. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for entitlement to service connection for a foot disorder, to include pes planus and plantar fasciitis, have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty from May 1984 to February 1987 and January 1991 to October 1991, with additional service in the National Guard. This case comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2007 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In February 2012, January 2015, September 2016, January 2018, November 2020, and May 2021 the Board remanded the case for additional evidentiary development. There has been substantial compliance with previous remand directives. Entitlement to service connection for a foot disorder, to include pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The Veteran contends he has a foot disorder related to heavy lifting and carrying and long standing and walking during service. The Board concludes that the Veteran has a current disability that began during active service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a). A March 2012 VA examination report shows the Veteran has current diagnoses of flat foot (pes planus) and plantar fasciitis. During service, the Veteran was seen for complaints of foot pain. Thus, the question becomes whether the current disability is related to service. On this question there is probative evidence in favor of and against the claim. The evidence against the claim includes the August 2021 VA medical opinion. The examiner opined that the Veteran's pes planus pre-existed service as pes planus was noted on entrance examination in 1984 and was not aggravated beyond a natural progression during service. The examiner based the opinion on the premise that there was no evidence of any further complaints or treatment for pes planus during service. The examiner also noted that the Veteran plantar fasciitis was likely secondary to his pes planus. The evidence in favor of the claim includes service treatment records from September 1991 that note the Veteran's reports of foot trouble upon separation from his period of active duty service. Additionally, service treatment records from 2005 and 2006 note the Veteran's reports of having frequent sharp pain in both feet. At the March 2012 VA examination, the Veteran reported his foot pain started during service due to prolonged walking and standing and lifting and carrying heavy equipment and has persisted and gotten worse since. Upon review of the record, the Board finds the evidence to at least be in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current foot disorder arose in service. Accordingly, after resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that service connection for a foot disorder, to include pes planus and plantar fasciitis is warranted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. K.A. KENNERLY Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board K. McDuffie, 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.