Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a
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 this from 20% to 40% depending on which fingers are affected and whether the affected hand is your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) hand. The thumb plus any other finger gets you 40% on the dominant hand or 30% on the non-dominant hand. The index finger paired with the long, ring, or little finger rates 30% on the dominant hand or 20% on the non-dominant hand. Any pairing that does not include the thumb or index finger (long+ring, long+little, or ring+little) rates 20% regardless of which hand.
Rating levels
- 40% — Your thumb and one finger on the same hand are completely stiff and stuck in a fixed position that makes it very difficult to use your hand normally. Unfavorable ankylosis means the digits are fused in a position that significantly limits your ability to grip, grasp, or perform fine motor tasks with that hand.
- 30% — This criteria applies when both your thumb and one of your fingers on the same hand are stuck in a fixed position that makes it difficult or impossible to use them normally. Unfavorable ankylosis means the joints are fused or frozen in a position that significantly limits your ability to grip, grasp, or perform fine motor tasks with that hand. The specific combination of thumb plus any finger creates substantial functional impairment because the thumb is essential for most hand activities.
- 30% — This rating applies when you have unfavorable ankylosis (permanent stiffening of the joints in a position that makes the fingers hard to use) affecting two specific fingers on one hand. The affected fingers must be your index finger plus either your middle finger, ring finger, or little finger - but not your thumb.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if you have unfavorable ankylosis (stiff, fused joints that don't bend properly) affecting two specific fingers on one hand. The finger combinations that qualify are: your index finger and middle finger, your index finger and ring finger, or your index finger and pinky finger.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if you have unfavorable ankylosis (stiff, immovable joints that are fused in a poor position) affecting two specific fingers on one hand. The finger combinations that qualify are: your middle and ring fingers, your middle and pinky fingers, or your ring and pinky fingers.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if you have unfavorable ankylosis (stiff, immovable joints that are fused in a poor position) affecting two specific fingers on one hand. The finger combinations that qualify are: your middle and ring fingers, your middle and pinky fingers, or your ring and pinky fingers.