Developed thumb joint pain in both hands years after retiring

[Julie]

Hello everyone, I retired in 2008 after 20 years in Aviation mechanics.  Two years ago I started having a hard time gripping.  Now it just hurts like hell.  Has anyone claimed arthritis and been granted service connection years after service?  I have nothing in my record for hand injuries.  I'm just seeing if it is worth dropping a claim or will I be denied.

[GBArmy]

I wish I could be more positive but if I read you right, the Aviation Mechanics is what yo did after your service, unless you have a record of hand issues while you were in, I don'y think things will go well. If you did, there would be a chance, even after 20 years. Using your hands like you did, day after day with repetitive motion is obviously where it comes from. The VA would not have any service connection to grant a disability. Nothing in your record correct?

[Julie]

15 minutes ago, GBArmy said:

I wish I could be more positive but if I read you right, the Aviation Mechanics is what yo did after your service, unless you have a record of hand issues while you were in, I don'y think things will go well. If you did, there would be a chance, even after 20 years. Using your hands like you did, day after day with repetitive motion is obviously where it comes from. The VA would not have any service connection to grant a disability. Nothing in your record correct?

Actually 20 years mechanics while active duty.  

[Julie]

Just now, Julie said:

Actually 20 years mechanics while active duty.  

I'm not sure if arthritis develops over years or is injury induced.  Either way. I used my hands all the time safety wire, hand tools, heavy lifting.  It is probably a long shot after being retired.  

[GBArmy]

So Julie; you are sure you never had any type of hand injury? You been out of the service 11 years; that in itself is a long time to connect to the service.Have you gone to a doc since getting out; how long ago?You didn't declare any issue when you were getting discharged? You have to have 3 things to get a disability. You only have one, which is bad hands now. You have to go back to an incident while in the service that show you had an injury then, and then you need a nexus, or a way to connect them. Unless there is something in your service record, you don't have anything to show from in service. Request a copy ; use sf form 180 and see if there is anything you forgot you reported.

[Julie]

I cannot remember ever having a hand injury just knuckles popped all the time.  I am currently 80% for a combination of many other little things and the only arthritis I have is in my knees that is service connected and lower back sacrococcygeal junction degenerative joint disease , osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knee.  I honestly did not have any pain until 3 or 4 years ago and it had gradually gotten worse.  I have a hard time gripping anything now.  So yes I have been diagnosed with arthritis but not in my hands.  Probably a long shot.

[GBArmy]

Julie, have you gone to a specialist arthritis doc with this specific problem? You realise that if you have something not run of the mill, the VA docs are probably going to miss it or mis-diagnose it. Sounds painful.