Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a
This diagnostic code covers thumb injuries or conditions that limit your ability to move your thumb properly, specifically how well you can touch your thumb to your fingertips (called opposition). The VA rates this based on measuring the gap between your thumb pad and fingers when you try to bring them together - the bigger the gap, the higher the rating. Ratings range from 0% (less than 1 inch gap) to 20% (more than 2 inches gap), with the rating reflecting how much this limitation affects your ability to grip and handle objects.
Rating levels
- 20% — When you try to touch your thumb to your fingertips (called opposition), there's more than a two-inch gap between your thumb pad and your fingers. This shows significant limitation in your thumb's ability to bend and move toward your other fingers, which affects your ability to grip and grasp objects properly.
- 20% — When you try to touch your thumb to your fingertips (called opposition), there's more than a two-inch gap between your thumb pad and your fingers. This shows significant limitation in your thumb's ability to bend and move toward your other fingers, which affects your ability to grip and grasp objects properly.
- 10% — When you try to touch your thumb to your fingertips (like making an "OK" sign or picking up a small object), there's a gap of 1 to 2 inches between your thumb pad and your fingers because your thumb can't bend and rotate normally. This shows significant limitation in your thumb's ability to oppose (move across your palm to meet your other fingers), which affects your ability to grip and pinch objects.
- 10% — When you try to touch your thumb to your fingertips (like making an "OK" sign or picking up a small object), there's a gap of 1 to 2 inches between your thumb pad and your fingers because your thumb can't bend and rotate normally. This shows significant limitation in your thumb's ability to oppose (move across your palm to meet your other fingers), which affects your ability to grip and pinch objects.
- 0% — You qualify for this rating if your thumb has limited movement but you can still bring your thumb pad close to your fingertips with less than an inch of space between them. This means when you try to touch your thumb to your fingers (like making an "OK" sign or pinching motion), there's only a small gap of less than one inch preventing full contact.
- 0% — You qualify for this rating if your thumb has limited movement but you can still bring your thumb pad close to your fingertips with less than an inch of space between them. This means when you try to touch your thumb to your fingers (like making an "OK" sign or pinching motion), there's only a small gap of less than one inch preventing full contact.