Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ MUSC Amputations
DC 5153, index finger, amputation of, is rated by the level below that matches your condition; the dominant (major) hand is rated higher than the non-dominant (minor) hand at the upper levels. The levels: With metacarpal resection (more than one-half the bone lost): 30% for the dominant hand, 20% for the non-dominant hand. Without metacarpal resection, at proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto: 20% for either hand. Through middle phalanx or at distal joint: 10% for either hand.
Rating levels
- 30% — You qualify for this rating if your index finger was amputated and more than half of the metacarpal bone (the long bone in your hand that connects your wrist to your finger) was also removed during surgery. This is a more extensive amputation that involves losing not just the finger itself, but also a significant portion of the hand bone that supported that finger.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if your index finger was amputated and more than half of the metacarpal bone (the long bone in your hand that connects your wrist to your finger) was also removed during the surgery. This is a more severe amputation that involves losing not just the finger itself, but also a significant portion of the hand bone that supported it.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if your index finger was amputated (cut off) at the middle joint or anywhere closer to your hand, but the long bone in your palm (metacarpal) that connects to your index finger was left intact. The amputation must be at or above the joint where your finger bends in the middle, not just at the fingertip.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if your index finger was amputated (cut off) at the middle joint or anywhere closer to your hand, but the long bone in your palm (metacarpal) that connects to your index finger was left intact. The amputation must be at or above the joint where your finger bends in the middle, not just at the fingertip.
- 10% — Your index finger has been amputated (cut off) either through the middle section of the finger or at the joint where the fingertip connects to the middle section. This means you've lost roughly the top half of your index finger, including the fingertip and potentially part of the middle segment.
- 10% — Your index finger has been amputated (cut off) either through the middle section of the finger or at the joint where the fingertip connects to the middle section. This means you've lost roughly the top half of your index finger, including the fingertip and potentially part of the middle segment.