Citation Nr: 21023144 Decision Date: 04/20/21 Archive Date: 04/20/21 DOCKET NO. 15-34 041 DATE: April 20, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to January 6, 2020, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard from May 2005 to July 2005and from October 2006 to June 2012. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2013 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to January 6, 2020, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is remanded. The Board notes that this issue was previously remanded for an opinion to address whether the Veteran was utilizing orthotics or other inserts in order to treat his condition. The Veteran underwent a VA examination in January 2020, the examination report indicated the Veteran did not use orthotics, arch supports, or built up shoes. The Veteran contended that he was prescribed orthotic foot inserts and prosthetic devices that must be worn in his shoes to avoid pain and discomfort in a September 2015 Notice of Disagreement (NOD). The Board also notes that the Veteran stated that he had ordered orthotics in the June 2012 VA examination. The January 2020 examination did not account for the Veteran’s orthotic use. The Veteran was provided with another VA examination in November 2020 with an accompanying addendum opinion. This examination again noted that the Veteran did not use any orthotics or assistive objects. In the addendum opinion the examiner failed to address the Veteran’s contentions that he utilized orthotics as requested by the previous VA opinion. The examiner did not acknowledge the September 2015 NOD or June 2012 VA examination. The examiner was also asked to determine whether the Veteran’s plantar fasciitis condition would be improved through the use of orthopedic appliances, however he simply gave a general opinion and stated that it was common medical knowledge that plantar fasciitis is improved through the use of orthotics. The examiner did not address the Veteran’s condition specifically and did not provide any medical explanation or evidence outside of stating that such information was common knowledge. DC 5276, under which the Veteran’s plantar fasciitis is rated by analogy, provides for an increased disability rating of 50 percent when the condition is not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances. As there is still no clarification on the Veteran’s use of orthotics and whether his condition would be improved through the use of such appliances, remand is required for an adequate VA opinion. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. All pertinent evidence of record must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. Any indicated tests and studies should be performed, and all clinical findings must be reported in detail and correlated to a specific diagnosis. An explanation for all opinions expressed must be provided. 2. Additionally, the examiner is asked to state whether the Veteran’s bilateral plantar fasciitis would be improved by the use of orthopedic shoes or appliances. The examiner is directed to consider and discuss the Veteran’s contention that he was prescribed orthotic foot inserts and prosthetic devices that must be worn in his shoes to avoid pain and discomfort. The examiner must address and discuss the June 2012 VA examination and the September 2015 NOD, both of which indicated that the Veteran was utilizing orthotics. The relevant Disability Benefits Questionnaire must be utilized. Saudiee Brown Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board AK 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.