Citation Nr: 21070677 Decision Date: 11/24/21 Archive Date: 11/24/21 DOCKET NO. 15-29 064 DATE: November 24, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for plantar fasciitis is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active-duty military service from January 1992 to January 1999. This matter was previously before the Board in July 2019 and June 2021, when it was remanded for further development. The most recent remand in June 2021 instructed the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) to provide the Veteran with an examination and opinion regarding plantar fasciitis to be performed by a podiatrist or other similarly qualified foot specialist. The Veteran was provided a VA examination in September 2021 but the provider who performed the examination listed his specialty as pediatrics. This failure to comply with the remand directives renders the examination and opinion inadequate and the matter must be remanded for compliance with the instructions. Entitlement to service connection for plantar fasciitis is remanded. The Veteran seeks service connection for plantar fasciitis in both feet which he asserts had its onset in service and has continued ever since. While the service treatment records do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of any foot disability in service, there is evidence in the personnel records of discipline for wearing non-regulation clothing. This supports the Veteran's testimony that he was disciplined in service for wearing non-regulation footwear because of his foot pain. As noted above, the Veteran was provided a VA examination in September 2021 which did not comply with the remand directives. The Board notes that the opinion provided with that examination was against the claim of service connection based on the lack of any documented findings with respect to plantar fasciitis in the service treatment records. However, the examiner also failed to consider or discuss the Veteran's report of his symptom history. This should be rectified in the examination on remand, which must be performed by a podiatrist or other physician similarly qualified in foot care. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: (Continued on the next page) Provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination performed by a podiatrist or other similarly qualified physician with experience in foot care to address his claim of service connection for plantar fasciitis. The opinion should address whether it is at least as likely as not (probability 50 percent or greater) that the Veteran has plantar fasciitis or similar diagnosis which was incurred in or aggravated by service. In providing this opinion the examiner should explicitly consider and address the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms and their history. The examiner may not discount the Veteran's statements and history without providing an explanation which is not based on lack of documented medical treatment. In providing this opinion, the examiner should cite any specific evidence of record and any relevant medical treatise or research which informs the opinion. The examiner should provide a statement of the reasons or rationale for the opinions offered. Eric S. Leboff Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Cheryl E. Handy 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.