Citation Nr: 22015756
Decision Date: 03/18/22	Archive Date: 03/18/22

DOCKET NO. 09-12 000
DATE: March 18, 2022

REMANDED

The issue of service connection for a right foot disorder is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served in the U.S. Navy from February 1992 to December 1999.

The issue of service connection for a right foot disorder is remanded.

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1. Background for the RO adjudicator:

The Board has remanded this appeal many times and VA medical opinions continue to be inadequate. Remand is necessary to obtain a VA examination and medical opinions from a podiatrist. Before returning this appeal to the Board, the RO must ensure that the examination and opinions are adequate.

2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination with a PODIATRIST to determine the cause of each identified right foot disorder.

All indicated tests and studies should be accomplished and the findings reported in detail. All relevant medical records must be made available to the examiner for review of pertinent documents. The examination report should specifically state that such a review was conducted. The examiner must provide a comprehensive explanation for all opinions provided.

The examiner should address the following:

(a.) Whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that there was NO worsening of the following during service. If there is such evidence, it must be identified and explained.

i.	Right foot pes planus.

ii.	Right foot callouses.

(b.) Whether each of the following was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service:

i.	Right foot plantar fasciitis.

ii.	Right foot hallux valgus.

(c.) Whether each of the following was caused by any service-connected disorder:

i.	Right foot plantar fasciitis.

ii.	Right foot hallux valgus.

(d.) Whether each of the following was aggravated by any service-connected disorder:

i.	Right foot pes planus.

ii.	Right foot callouses.

iii.	Right foot plantar fasciitis.

iv.	Right foot hallux valgus.

(e.) Whether each of the following was caused by obesity which was caused or worsened by any service-connected disorder:

i.	Right foot plantar fasciitis.

ii.	Right foot hallux valgus.

(f.) Whether each of the following was aggravated by obesity which was caused or worsened by any service-connected disorder:

i.	Right foot pes planus.

ii.	Right foot callouses.

iii.	Right foot plantar fasciitis.

iv.	Right foot hallux valgus.

The examiner is advised that permanent worsening is not required for aggravation; temporary worsening is sufficient for a grant of service connection.

Service connection is currently in effect for thoracic and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD); right hip condition; left hip condition; left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome; left foot fracture residuals with calcaneal bone spur and plantar fasciitis; bilateral tinnitus; left and right lower extremity neuropathy; left ankle sprain; cesarean section scar; and bilateral breast reduction.

The examiner is advised that:

*The Veteran had mild pes planus which was asymptomatic on her January 1992 physical examination for service entrance. It was not specified which foot had the pes planus or if it was both. She was also noted to have mild callouses.

*On her September 1999 report of medical history, it was noted that she had plantar fasciitis. Again, it does not specify which foot or if it was both.

*On her September 1999 physical examination for service separation her feet were abnormal but the only indicated disorder was tinea pedis.

*The Veteran has reported in service injuries from walking and running on concrete, and doing emergency evacuations from airplanes. She has also reported compensating in her walking and weight-bearing after she broke her left foot, which caused right foot symptoms.

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*The Veteran continues to have right foot symptoms and complaints.

*Previous VA examinations report an onset date of right foot symptoms of between 1992 and 1994.

 

 

Jacqueline E. Miller

Acting Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Brennae L. Brooks, 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.