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VA diagnostic code directory

Browse VA Diagnostic Codes by Body Area

Start with the place that hurts or is not working normally. You can still browse every VA body system below.

Hand and wrist conditions

81 diagnostic codes

These codes can cover either side, both sides, or more than one body part. Check each description.

DC 5053Wrist replacement (prosthesis)

This diagnostic code covers veterans who have had their wrist joint surgically replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis). The VA automatically gives you...

DC 5104Anatomical loss of one hand and loss of use of one foot

This diagnostic code covers the specific combination of losing one complete hand (either through amputation or total loss of function) plus losing the use of...

This code covers a hand and a foot.

DC 5106Anatomical loss of both hands

Diagnostic Code 5106 covers the complete anatomical loss of both hands - meaning both hands have been physically amputated or are completely missing. This is...

This condition covers both hands.

DC 5108Anatomical loss of one hand and one foot

Diagnostic Code 5108 covers the anatomical loss (amputation) of one hand and one foot - meaning you're missing both limbs, not just having limited use of the...

This code covers a hand and a foot.

DC 5109Loss of use of both hands

Diagnostic Code 5109 covers the complete loss of use of both hands, which is one of the most severe musculoskeletal disabilities the VA rates. This doesn't n...

This condition covers both hands.

DC 5111Loss of use of one hand and one foot

Diagnostic Code 5111 covers the loss of use of one hand and one foot together - this means both limbs are essentially non-functional due to injury, disease,...

This code covers a hand and a foot.

DC 5120Complete amputation, upper extremity

This diagnostic code covers complete amputation of your entire arm or significant portions of it. The VA rates these amputations at either 90% or 100% depend...

DC 5125Hand, loss of use of

Diagnostic Code 5125 covers situations where you've completely lost the use of your hand, even though the hand is still physically there. This is different f...

DC 5126Five digits of one hand, amputation of

Diagnostic code 5126 covers the amputation (complete loss) of all five fingers on one hand. This is what the VA calls a 'fixed rating' condition, meaning you...

DC 5127Thumb, index, long and ring

Diagnostic code 5127 covers situations where you've lost your thumb, index, long (middle), and ring fingers through amputation or complete loss of use. This...

DC 5128Thumb, index, long and little

Diagnostic Code 5128 covers amputation or complete loss of use of your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and little finger on one hand. This is a serious c...

DC 5129Thumb, index, ring and little

Diagnostic Code 5129 covers amputation or complete loss of use of your thumb, index finger, ring finger, and little finger - basically losing four of your fi...

DC 5130Thumb, long, ring and little

Diagnostic Code 5130 covers amputation or complete loss of use of your thumb plus your long finger (middle), ring finger, and little finger - basically four...

DC 5131Index, long, ring and little

This diagnostic code covers complete amputation or loss of four fingers on one hand - your index, long (middle), ring, and little fingers. The VA rates this...

DC 5132Thumb, index and long

Diagnostic Code 5132 covers amputation or loss of your thumb, index finger, and long (middle) finger on the same hand. The VA rates this specific combination...

DC 5133Thumb, index and ring

Diagnostic Code 5133 covers injuries or conditions affecting three specific fingers on one hand: your thumb, index finger (pointer finger), and ring finger....

DC 5134Thumb, index and little

This diagnostic code covers situations where you've lost the use of three specific fingers on one hand: your thumb, index finger, and little finger. The VA r...

DC 5135Thumb, long and ring

Diagnostic Code 5135 covers disabilities affecting your thumb, long finger (middle finger), and ring finger together as a combined condition. The VA rates th...

DC 5136Thumb, long and little

This diagnostic code covers conditions affecting your thumb, long finger (middle finger), and little finger (pinky). The VA uses a single 50% rating for this...

DC 5137Thumb, ring and little

Diagnostic Code 5137 covers disabilities affecting three specific fingers on one hand: the thumb, ring finger, and little finger. This is a specialized ratin...

DC 5138Index, long and ring

This diagnostic code covers conditions affecting three specific fingers on your hand: the index finger (pointer finger), long finger (middle finger), and rin...

DC 5139Index, long and little

Diagnostic Code 5139 covers injuries or conditions affecting three specific fingers: your index finger (pointer finger), long finger (middle finger), and lit...

DC 5140Index, ring and little

This diagnostic code covers disabilities affecting three specific fingers on one hand - your index (pointer), ring, and little fingers together. The VA rates...

DC 5141Long, ring and little

Diagnostic Code 5141 covers conditions affecting your long finger (middle), ring finger, and little finger together as a group. This code appears to be incom...

DC 5142Thumb and index

Diagnostic Code 5142 covers combined injuries or conditions affecting both your thumb and index finger on the same hand. The VA rates this condition at a fla...

DC 5143Thumb and long

Diagnostic Code 5143 appears to be an incomplete or outdated rating code that references 'Thumb and long' - likely referring to thumb and finger injuries tog...

DC 5144Thumb and ring

Diagnostic Code 5144 for 'Thumb and ring' appears to be an incomplete or cross-reference code in the VA rating system, as it only shows a single 40% rating w...

DC 5145Thumb and little

Diagnostic Code 5145 covers combined injuries or conditions affecting both your thumb and little finger on the same hand. The VA rates this specific combinat...

DC 5146Index and long

Diagnostic Code 5146 covers disabilities affecting both your index finger (pointer finger) and long finger (middle finger) together. The VA rates this combin...

DC 5147Index and ring

Diagnostic Code 5147 covers loss of function or amputation of both your index finger and ring finger on the same hand. The VA rates this specific combination...

DC 5148Index and little

Diagnostic Code 5148 covers injuries or conditions affecting both your index finger (pointer finger) and little finger (pinky) on the same hand. The VA rates...

DC 5149Long and ring

Diagnostic Code 5149 covers conditions affecting both your long finger (middle finger) and ring finger together. The VA rates this combination at 20% disabil...

DC 5150Long and little

Diagnostic Code 5150 covers conditions affecting the long bones (like your arm and leg bones) and little finger. The VA rates this at 20% maximum disability....

DC 5151Ring and little

Diagnostic Code 5151 covers injuries or conditions affecting both your ring finger and little finger on the same hand. The VA rates this as a combined condit...

DC 5152Thumb, amputation of

This diagnostic code covers partial or complete loss of the thumb due to injury, disease, or surgical removal. The VA rates thumb amputations at two levels:...

DC 5153Index finger, amputation of

This diagnostic code covers the amputation (loss) of your index finger at different levels. The VA gives you a 20% rating if your finger was amputated at or...

DC 5154Long finger, amputation of

This rating covers veterans who have lost part or all of a finger on their hand (not including the thumb, which has its own rating code). The VA gives you ei...

DC 5155Ring finger, amputation of

This rating covers amputation (surgical removal) of your ring finger. The VA gives you 10% if the finger was removed without taking much of the hand bone (me...

DC 5156Little finger, amputation of

This diagnostic code covers the loss of your little finger, either partially or completely. The VA rates this condition at 20% if more than half of the metac...

DC 5214Wrist, ankylosis of

Wrist ankylosis means your wrist joint has become completely fused or locked in one position due to injury, disease, or surgery. The VA rates this condition...

DC 5215Wrist, limitation of motion of

This diagnostic code covers wrist injuries or conditions that limit your ability to bend your wrist down toward your palm (called palmar flexion). The VA onl...

DC 5216Five digits of one hand, unfavorable ankylosis of

This diagnostic code covers unfavorable ankylosis (stiff, fused joints) affecting all five digits of one hand. Ankylosis is unfavorable when the fingers are...

DC 5217Four digits of one hand, unfavorable ankylosis of

This rating covers when four fingers on one hand are locked in a bad position (unfavorable ankylosis). The VA rates it from 40% to 60% depending on which fin...

DC 5218Three digits of one hand, unfavorable ankylosis of

This rating covers when three fingers on one hand are stuck in a fixed position due to ankylosis (joint fusion or severe stiffness) that limits their usefuln...

DC 5219Two digits of one hand, unfavorable ankylosis of

This code covers when two fingers on one hand are stuck in a fixed position (called ankylosis) in a way that severely limits their usefulness. The VA rates t...

DC 5220Five digits of one hand, favorable ankylosis of

This condition covers when all five fingers on one hand are stuck in a favorable position from ankylosis, meaning the joints are fused but the fingers sit in...

DC 5221Four digits of one hand, favorable ankylosis of

This rating applies when four fingers on one hand are stuck in a fixed but still-useful position (favorable ankylosis). The VA rates it from 30% to 50% depen...

DC 5222Three digits of one hand, favorable ankylosis of

This diagnostic code covers favorable ankylosis (permanent stiffening in a usable position) of three fingers on one hand. The VA rates this from 20% to 40% d...

DC 5223Two digits of one hand, favorable ankylosis of

This rating covers when two fingers on one hand are stuck in a usable but fused position (favorable ankylosis). The VA rates it from 10% to 30% depending on...

DC 5224Thumb, ankylosis of

Ankylosis of the thumb means your thumb joint has become completely stiff and immobile, usually due to injury, arthritis, or surgery. The VA rates this condi...

DC 5225Index finger, ankylosis of

Ankylosis of the index finger means your index finger joint is completely stiff and can't bend or move normally - it's essentially frozen in place. This can...

DC 5226Long finger, ankylosis of

This condition involves the complete stiffening (ankylosis) of one of your long fingers - your index, middle, ring, or pinkie finger - where the joints can't...

DC 5227Ring or little finger, ankylosis of

Ankylosis of the ring or little finger means your finger joint has become completely stiff and immobile, essentially 'frozen' in one position. The VA rates t...

DC 5228Thumb, limitation of motion

This diagnostic code covers thumb injuries or conditions that limit your ability to move your thumb properly, specifically how well you can touch your thumb...

DC 5229Index or long finger, limitation of motion

This condition covers limited movement in your index finger or middle finger due to injury or disease. The VA rates this at either 10% or 0% based on how wel...

DC 5230Ring or little finger, limitation of motion

This diagnostic code covers limited movement in your ring finger or little finger due to injury or disease. The VA rates this condition based on how much you...

DC 5307Group VII. Function: Flexion of wrist and fingers. Muscles arising from internal condyle of humerus: Flexors of the carpus and long flexors of fingers and thumb; pronator

Diagnostic Code 5307 covers injuries to the muscles that help you bend your wrist and fingers - specifically the muscles that attach to the inside bump of yo...

DC 5308Group VIII. Function: Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb. Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus: Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator

This diagnostic code covers muscle injuries that affect your ability to extend (straighten out) your wrist, fingers, and thumb, plus spread your thumb away f...

DC 5309Group IX. Function: The forearm muscles act in strong grasping movements and are supplemented by the intrinsic muscles in delicate manipulative movements. Intrinsic muscles of hand: Thenar eminence; short flexor, opponens, abductor and adductor of thumb; hypothenar eminence; short flexor, opponens and abductor of little finger; 4 lumbricales; 4 dorsal and 3 palmar interossei

Diagnostic Code 5309 covers injuries to the small muscles in your hand and forearm that control gripping and fine finger movements - like the muscles that he...

DC 7117Raynaud's syndrome (also known as secondary Raynaud's phenomenon or secondary Raynaud's)

Raynaud's syndrome is a condition where your fingers and toes lose blood flow when exposed to cold or stress, causing them to turn white, blue, or red and fe...

No separate left/right choice for this code.

DC 7119Erythromelalgia

Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that causes severe burning pain, redness, and heat in your hands and feet during flare-ups or 'attacks.' The VA rates thi...

No separate left/right choice for this code.

DC 7122Cold injury residuals

Cold injury residuals are the long-term effects from frostbite, trench foot, or other cold-weather injuries that happened during your military service. The V...

DC 7124Raynaud's disease (also known as primary Raynaud's)

Raynaud's disease is a condition where your fingers and toes turn white, blue, or red when exposed to cold or stress because blood vessels narrow and limit c...

No separate left/right choice for this code.

DC 8511Paralysis of middle radicular group

This diagnostic code covers paralysis (loss of movement and function) of the radial nerve, which controls movement in your arm, elbow, and wrist. The VA rate...

DC 8512Paralysis of lower radicular group

Diagnostic Code 8512 covers paralysis of muscles in your hand and wrist - meaning these muscles can't move normally or at all. The VA rates this condition fr...

DC 8513Paralysis of all radicular groups

Diagnostic code 8513 covers paralysis (complete loss of muscle function and movement) in specific body parts, though the VA Schedule doesn't specify which bo...

DC 8514Paralysis of musculospiral nerve (radial nerve)

Diagnostic Code 8514 covers paralysis of the radial nerve, which controls your ability to lift your hand at the wrist and extend your fingers and thumb. The...

DC 8515Paralysis of median nerve

This diagnostic code covers paralysis of the median nerve, which controls movement and sensation in your thumb, index, and middle fingers. The VA rates this...

DC 8516Paralysis of ulnar nerve

This diagnostic code covers paralysis of the ulnar nerve, which controls movement and sensation in your hand and fingers, particularly your ring finger and p...

DC 8611Neuritis of middle radicular group

Neuritis is inflammation or irritation of nerves that can cause pain, weakness, numbness, or loss of function in your arms or hands. The VA rates neuritis us...

DC 8612Neuritis of lower radicular group

Neuritis is inflammation of the nerves that causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected area. The VA rates neuritis under this code based o...

DC 8613Neuritis of all radicular groups

Neuritis is inflammation of one or more nerves that can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. The VA rates neuritis using the same scale as paralysis...

DC 8614Neuritis of musculospiral nerve (radial nerve)

Neuritis is inflammation of a nerve that can cause pain, weakness, and loss of function in the affected area. Under diagnostic code 8614, the VA rates neurit...

DC 8615Neuritis of median nerve

Neuritis is inflammation or irritation of a nerve that causes pain, weakness, and loss of function. Under diagnostic code 8615, the VA rates neuritis the sam...

DC 8616Neuritis of ulnar nerve

Neuritis is nerve inflammation that causes pain, weakness, and loss of function in the affected area. Under diagnostic code 8616, the VA rates neuritis the s...

DC 8711Neuralgia of middle radicular group

Neuralgia is severe, shooting nerve pain that follows specific nerve pathways in your body. The VA rates neuralgia by treating it the same as paralysis of th...

DC 8712Neuralgia of lower radicular group

Neuralgia is nerve pain that can be sharp, burning, or shooting, often caused by nerve damage or irritation. The VA rates neuralgia under this code by treati...

DC 8713Neuralgia of all radicular groups

Neuralgia is nerve pain that can feel like sharp, shooting, burning, or electric shock-like sensations along a nerve pathway. The VA rates neuralgia under th...

DC 8714Neuralgia of musculospiral nerve (radial nerve)

Neuralgia is nerve pain that can be severe and debilitating. Under diagnostic code 8714, the VA rates neuralgia based on how much it affects your ability to...

DC 8715Neuralgia of median nerve

Neuralgia under this code refers to nerve pain and damage that affects your hand and wrist function, specifically involving the median nerve (which controls...

DC 8716Neuralgia of ulnar nerve

Neuralgia is nerve pain that can cause severe, shooting, or burning sensations along nerve pathways. Under diagnostic code 8716, the VA rates neuralgia using...

Browse every diagnostic code

Use the body map above, or open a body system below to browse every diagnostic code.

Musculoskeletal System (162 codes)
Muscle Injuries (31 codes)
Eye (45 codes)
Ear (12 codes)
Smell and Taste (2 codes)
Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies (31 codes)
Respiratory System (61 codes)
Cardiovascular System (33 codes)
Digestive System (51 codes)
Genitourinary System (40 codes)
Gynecological Conditions (20 codes)
Hemic and Lymphatic Systems (21 codes)
Skin (30 codes)
Endocrine System (19 codes)
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders (119 codes)
Mental Disorders (33 codes)
Dental and Oral Conditions (15 codes)

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.