veteran testified at a hearing before
the RO that during service, a drum rolled onto his right
hand and crushed it. He stated that the hand swelled and
the fingers of the hand were bruised. He indicated that
medics placed a splint on the hand which remained in place
for 6 to 7 weeks. He stated that he thought an x-ray was
taken at the time of the injury. The veteran testified that
in 1958, he complained of right hand pain to his physician,
Dr. Powers, and that Dr. Powers indicated the presence of
arthritis in the hand. The veteran stated that Dr. Powers
was deceased and medical records pertaining to that
treatment were not available. The veteran reported that
currently, he suffered from continuous right hand pain. He
indicated that swelling occurred with overuse of the hand.
He stated that thathe had decreased movement of the fingers
and difficulty opening bottles, tying his shoe and writing
with that hand.
In an April 1990 statement, the veteran asserted that the
right hand was x-rayed in service following the injury,. and
that the x-ray revealed that the hand was fractured. The
veteran also contended that a cast was placed on the right
hand after the removal of the splint. He asserted that he
was seen by Dr. B.L. Black in Charlotte, North Carolina
approximately one year after discharge from active duty for
complaints of right hand pain. The veteran indicated that
Dr. Black prescribed pain medication and felt that the right
hand would remain weaker than the left. He stated that Dr.
Black was deceased and his medical records were not
available.
On VA examination of January 1991, the veteran complained of
continuous pain and weakness