Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ MUSC Hand and Fingers
This rating covers when two fingers on one hand are stuck in a usable but fused position (favorable ankylosis). The VA rates it from 10% to 30% depending on which fingers are affected and whether the affected hand is your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) hand. Thumb plus any other finger rates 30% on the dominant hand or 20% on the non-dominant hand. Index paired with long, ring, or little rates 20% on either hand. Long+ring, long+little, or ring+little rates 10% on either hand.
Rating levels
- 30% — Your thumb and any one finger on the same hand are each permanently stiffened (ankylosed) at their joints in a good, functional position (favorable ankylosis means the joints are fused but in a way that still allows some usefulness). The fusion must involve both your thumb and one finger, and while you can't bend these digits at the fused joints, they're positioned well enough that you can still use them for basic gripping and holding tasks.
- 20% — Your thumb and any one finger on the same hand are permanently fused or locked in a fixed position that actually helps your hand function better. The fingers cannot bend at the joints anymore, but they're stuck in a position that still allows you to grip and use your hand for most daily activities.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if two fingers on one hand are ankylosed (the joints are fused and no longer bend) in a favorable position, and the two fingers are your index finger together with your middle finger, your ring finger, or your little finger. For the fingers, the rating schedule treats ankylosis as favorable when only one of the two main joints of the finger (the knuckle or the middle joint) is fused and the fingertip can still come within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the crease across the palm when the finger is bent as far as it will go.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if two fingers on one hand are ankylosed (the joints are fused and no longer bend) in a favorable position, and the two fingers are your index finger together with your middle finger, your ring finger, or your little finger. For the fingers, the rating schedule treats ankylosis as favorable when only one of the two main joints of the finger (the knuckle or the middle joint) is fused and the fingertip can still come within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the crease across the palm when the finger is bent as far as it will go.
- 10% — This criteria covers cases where you have favorable ankylosis (permanent stiffening and immobility of joints in a useful position) affecting two specific fingers on one hand. The qualifying finger combinations are: your middle and ring fingers, your middle and pinky fingers, or your ring and pinky fingers each stiffened (ankylosed) in a functional position.
- 10% — This criteria covers cases where you have favorable ankylosis (permanent stiffening and immobility of joints in a useful position) affecting two specific fingers on one hand. The qualifying finger combinations are: your middle and ring fingers, your middle and pinky fingers, or your ring and pinky fingers each stiffened (ankylosed) in a functional position.