Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a
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: 30% if the amputation includes removal of the metacarpal bone (the long bone in your hand that connects to your thumb), or 20% if the amputation is at the tip joint or through the end segment of your thumb. The higher rating reflects the greater loss of hand function when more of the thumb structure is missing.
Rating levels
- 40% — You qualify for this rating if your thumb was amputated and the surgeon also had to remove part or all of the metacarpal bone (the long bone in your hand that connects your thumb to your wrist). This is a more extensive amputation than just losing the thumb itself, because it involves removing the underlying hand bone as well.
- 30% — You qualify for this rating if your thumb was amputated and the surgeon also had to remove part or all of the metacarpal bone (the long bone in your hand that connects your thumb to your wrist). This is a more extensive amputation than just losing the thumb itself, because it involves removing the underlying hand bone as well.
- 30% — You qualify for this rating if your thumb was amputated (surgically removed) either at the knuckle where your thumb meets your hand (metacarpophalangeal joint) or anywhere through the bottom section of your thumb bone (proximal phalanx). This covers amputations from the thumb knuckle up to about halfway up your thumb.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if your thumb was amputated (cut off) either at the knuckle where your thumb connects to your hand (metacarpophalangeal joint) or anywhere through the main bone section of your thumb (proximal phalanx). This covers amputations from the base knuckle of your thumb up to about the middle of your thumb's length.
- 20% — Your thumb has been amputated (cut off) at the tip joint or anywhere through the tip section of your thumb. This includes losing your thumb at the joint closest to your fingernail, or having any part of that final thumb segment removed.
- 20% — Your thumb has been amputated (cut off) at the tip joint or anywhere through the tip section of your thumb. This includes losing your thumb at the joint closest to your fingernail, or having any part of that final thumb segment removed.