Citation Nr: 21039990 Decision Date: 07/02/21 Archive Date: 07/02/21 DOCKET NO. 18-54 358 DATE: July 2, 2021 REMANDED The claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral heel disorder manifested by numbness is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from November 2008 to February 2017. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a May 2017 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) decision. In June 2021, the Veteran testified before the undersigned via a video teleconference hearing. Service Connection for bilateral heel numbness. In February 2017, in pertinent part, the Veteran filed claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and also for bilateral heel pain, indicating that he felt that the disabilities were separate and distinct. Review of the service treatment records (STRs) reflects that they are replete with records showing for various bilateral foot problems, to include plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and heel pain. The Veteran underwent bilateral foot surgeries in late 2016 for plantar fasciitis with excision of plantar calcaneal spurs. Service connection is in effect for bilateral plantar fasciitis (rated as 50% disabling) and for painful surgery scars on the feet (rated as 10%). It is the Veteran's assertion that he has an additional distinct and separate disorder of the bilateral heels. Specifically, he argues that his bilateral heel numbness began during service. He believes that this disability resulted from in-service use, to include from running and marches with boots over rough terrain. He has testified that the heel is different from the pain associated with his plantar fasciitis. When examined by VA in April 2017, to include peripheral nerve examination, there was no findings of nerve pain, numbness, paresthesias. The Veteran's muscle strength was normal with normal reflexes and normal sensation in the lower extremities to include the feet. In May 2017, the claim was denied by the RO in that there was no pathology/diagnosis to render a diagnosis of bilateral heel numbness. The Veteran continues to assert that he suffers from bilateral heel numbness that originated during service that continues to the present day. Given the above, the Board finds that additional VA examination is necessary to address whether any separate and distinct heel disorder is present. See Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 311 (2007). The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Ensure that the Veteran is scheduled for a VA examination with an appropriate specialist in order to determine whether his complaints of bilateral heel numbness represent a bilateral chronic heel disorder, and, if so, whether such is related to his service or to any service-connected disability (e.g., bilateral plantar fasciitis and/or painful foot scars). The claims folder must be made available to and be reviewed by the examiner. If deemed necessary, nerve conduction studies of the feet should be conducted. All results should be reported in detail. Following examination of the Veteran and review of the claims file, the examiner should state any and all bilateral heel disorders found, to include discussion of bilateral heel numbness and whether the Veteran's complaints represent a chronic heel disorder. First, the examiner should opine whether any bilateral heel disorder found is separate and distinct from, or part and parcel or a symptom of his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and/or painful foot scars. A detailed rationale for any finding must be provided with respect to this initial finding. Then, for any separate and distinct bilateral heel disorders found, the examiner should opine whether such at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) began in service or within one year of discharge therefrom or are otherwise the result of military service. Finally, separate and distinct heel disorders found that are not directly found to be related to service, the examiner should also opine whether separate and distinct heel disorders at least as likely as not were (a) caused by; or, (b) aggravated (i.e., chronically worsened) by the Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis and/or painful foot scars. The examiner is reminded that he or she must address both prongs (a) and (b) above. In addressing the above, the examiner should consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset of symptomatology and any continuity of symptomatology since onset and/or since discharge from service. The examiner should also consider any other pertinent evidence of record, as appropriate. All findings should be reported in detail and all opinions must be accompanied by a clear rationale. 2. If upon completion of the above the issue remains denied, the appeal should be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedure. E. I. VELEZ Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Hal Smith, 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.