Citation Nr: 21069572 Decision Date: 11/18/21 Archive Date: 11/18/21 DOCKET NO. 14-22 134 DATE: November 18, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial rating for bilateral pes planus in excess of 10 percent prior to February 23, 2021 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service in the Army from March 1988 to November 2010. The appeal originates from a January 2012 decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office. The Veteran appeared for a hearing before the undersigned in July 2017. The Board notes that the issue of service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy was granted in an August 2021 rating decision and is no longer before the Board. The matter was remanded in October 2018 and December 2020 for VA examinations (for consideration of passive use). An examination was obtained in February 2021 at which time the examiner rendered a new diagnosis of bilateral plantar fasciitis with symptoms such as marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces, and objective evidence of marked deformity. The examiner opined that the diagnosis was a progression of service-connected bilateral pes planus. The Veteran was afforded another examination in June 2021. The examiner did not diagnose bilateral plantar fasciitis. Moreover, and of greater significance, the symptoms of marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces, and objective evidence of marked deformity were not identified. The August 2021 rating decision, confusingly, increased the Veteran's rating to 50 percent, making no reference to plantar fasciitis and attributing the symptoms noted in February 2021 to pes planus. It remains unclear whether the Veteran has bilateral plantar fasciitis with associated symptoms related to service-connected bilateral pes planus. As such, an addendum opinion must be obtained to clarify his diagnosis and symptoms. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: Request an addendum opinion from the June 2021 foot examiner. The examiner is asked to address the following: a. Specify whether the Veteran has a separate and distinct diagnosis of bilateral plantar fasciitis in addition to bilateral pes planus. b. If a diagnosis is not made, reconcile the finding with the February 2021 examination. c. If a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is made, the examiner should state whether it is possible to delineate which symptoms are attributable to pes planus and plantar fasciitis, respectively. Such includes, but is not limited to symptoms of marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces, objective evidence of marked deformity, relief of plantar fasciitis from non-surgical or surgical treatment, or improvement of flatfoot by orthopedic shoes or appliances. Rationale must be provided. If separation/delineation of any symptom is not possible such should be stated. MICHAEL A. HERMAN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Alhinnawi 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.