that he could not move the little finger of the
right hand. He asserted that he received treatment from a
local physician for arthritis of the right hand sometime in
1946. He testified that he attempted to get those records
but was unable to do so because that doctor was deceased and
the records were not available. He also indicated that he
received treatment for arthritis from Dr. Powers in the late
1940's and early 1950's, but he is also deceased and the
records were unavailable.
The veteran's claim is well grounded within the meaning of
38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a). That is, we find that he has
presented a claim which is plausible. We are also satisfied
that all relevant facts have been properly developed and
that no further assistance is required to comply with the
duty to assist as mandated byyears after service.
However, as noted above, service connection may be
established for disability diagnosed after service when the
evidence establishes that the disease was incurred in
service. Testing performed by the VA in November 1991
revealed carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand. In July
1991, a VA neurologist reviewed the medical evidence of
record, including the 1991 neurological testing, and
concluded that that veteran had right carpal tunnel syndrome
which was most likely related to a crush injury in 1944.
Also, in a June l992 report, Dr. Shaheda Quaiyumi indicated
that the veteran had arthritis of the hand secondary to the
injury he sustained during World War II. The Board
concludes, on the basis of the testimony of the veteran, the
lay evidence and the medical evidence of record that it is
at least as likely as not that the crush