VA Diagnostic Code 5154Long finger, amputation of:
Rated from 10% to 20% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 20%20% non-dominant
With metacarpal resection (more than one-half the bone lost)
- 10%10% non-dominant
Without metacarpal resection, at proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: The single finger amputation ratings are the only applicable ratings for amputations of whole or part of single fingers.
Amputation of the Long Finger (VA Diagnostic Code 5154)
Musculoskeletal System — 38 CFR § 4.71a
Understanding This Condition
Diagnostic Code 5154 covers the amputation of the long finger. Under this code, the VA assigns a disability rating based on how much of the finger — and the underlying hand bone — has been lost.
An important point to know: the single finger amputation ratings are the only applicable ratings for amputations of a whole or part of a single finger.
Available Rating Levels
The VA evaluates this condition at two levels. Notably, the rating is the same whether the amputation affects your dominant or non-dominant hand.
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 20% | Amputation with metacarpal resection (more than one-half the bone lost) — 20% for both dominant and non-dominant extremity |
| 10% | Amputation without metacarpal resection, at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto — 10% for both dominant and non-dominant extremity |
What the VA Looks For
When rating an amputation of the long finger, the VA focuses on:
- Whether there is metacarpal resection — specifically, whether more than one-half of the metacarpal bone has been lost. This is the key factor separating the 20% and 10% levels.
- The location of the amputation — for the 10% level, whether the amputation is at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal to it (closer to the hand).
Because the ratings under this code apply equally to the dominant and non-dominant hand, which hand is affected does not change the assigned percentage.
This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule at 38 CFR § 4.71a and is provided for general educational purposes. It reflects the rating criteria as written and does not predict any individual outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5154. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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