VA Disability Rating for Long finger, ankylosis of (DC 5226)

Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ MUSC Hand and Fingers

This code covers ankylosis of the long finger, which is the middle finger. Ankylosis means the finger's joints are fused and no longer bend. The VA rates it at 10% whether the finger is fixed in a favorable or an unfavorable position, and the 10% is the same for the dominant and the non-dominant hand. The index finger has its own code (DC 5225), and so do the ring and little fingers (DC 5227).

Rating levels

  • 10% — Your long (middle) finger is completely stiff and cannot bend at any joint (ankylosis means the joint is permanently fused). The rating applies whether the finger is stuck in a functional position for gripping (favorable) or stuck in a poor position that limits hand use (unfavorable).
  • 10% — Your long (middle) finger is completely stiff and cannot bend at any joint (ankylosis means the joint is permanently fused). The rating applies whether the finger is stuck in a functional position for gripping (favorable) or stuck in a poor position that limits hand use (unfavorable).

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.

Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic (DC 5000)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5000.
Bones and joints, tuberculosis of, active or inactive (DC 5001)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5001.
Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process (DC 5002)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5002.
Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic (DC 5003)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5003.
Arthritis, gonorrheal (DC 5004)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5004.