Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a
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 above the middle joint (proximal interphalangeal joint) without removing part of the hand bone (metacarpal). You get a 10% rating if the amputation was through the middle section of the finger or at the tip joint.
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.