Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ MUSC Amputations
Amputation of thumb, index, and long fingers is rated under DC 5132 at 60% for the dominant (major) hand and 50% for the non-dominant (minor) hand, because the VA rates the dominant side higher.
Rating levels
- 60% — If you've lost your thumb, index, and long fingers on your dominant hand, you receive a 60% rating. On the non-dominant hand the same amputation rates at 50%. VA treats the hand you write with as your "major" (dominant) hand; the other is your "minor" (non-dominant) hand, and ratings are 10% lower because loss of function on the non-dominant side is considered less disabling.
- 50% — If you've lost your thumb, index, and long fingers on your non-dominant hand, you receive a 50% rating. On the dominant hand the same amputation rates at 60%. VA treats the hand you write with as your "major" (dominant) hand; the other is your "minor" (non-dominant) hand, and ratings are 10% lower because loss of function on the non-dominant side is considered less disabling.