The examiner indicated
that he reviewed x-rays taken in January 1991 of the right
hand which demonstrated evidence of an old fifth metacarpal
fracture, healed in approximately 30 degrees of apex dorsal
angulation at about the mid to distal third. The impression
was old right fifth metacarpal fracture, healed, with 30
degrees of apex dorsal angulation. The examiner indicated
that the veteran resisted active range of motion which was
difficult to correlate with other parts of the physical
examination.
In December 1992, the veteran submitted a copy of a picture
he contends was taken in April 1945 showing that his right
hand was bandaged. A review of the picture by the
undersigned reveals the veteran to be seated with his hands
on his foot and leg. The fingers show no bandages. There
is a white stripe which appears between the veteran's fourth
and fifthwas crushed in 1944 with injury to the fifth
metacarpal. He indicated continual pain since that injury.
On examination, the veteran had tenderness over the right
little finger metacarpal head. There was no visible
deformity. X-rays revealed that the joint space was
narrowed with some destruction of the bone secondary to
arthritis. The examiner indicated that the veteran had had
a fracture of the fifth metacarpal. He also stated that it
was possible the veteran might have had a contusion of the
nerve at that time which had headed with scarring. The
diagnoses included possible right thumb basal joint
arthritis, generalized osteoarthritis. June to July 1992
treatment records show that that the veteran continued to
complain of right hand discomfort.
A June 1992 report submitted by Shaheda Quaiyumi, M.D. shows
that the veteran reported injuring his right hand in service
in 1944. He indicated