VA Diagnostic Code 5162Middle or lower thirds
A single 60% rating under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires for it.
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- 60%
Middle or lower thirds
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- 2 Also entitled to special monthly compensation.
VA Disability Rating: Amputation of the Leg (Middle or Lower Thirds) — Diagnostic Code 5162
Understanding This Rating
Diagnostic Code 5162 falls under the Musculoskeletal System and is defined in 38 CFR § 4.71a. This code addresses amputation involving the middle or lower thirds of the leg.
If you have a condition rated under this diagnostic code, the VA uses a specific rating schedule to assign a disability percentage that reflects the severity of your condition.
Available Rating Level
The VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 5162 provides the following level:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Middle or lower thirds |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating a claim under Diagnostic Code 5162, the VA reviews the criteria described in the rating schedule above to determine the appropriate disability percentage.
Important Note:
- A veteran evaluated under this code may also be entitled to special monthly compensation.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5162). It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any specific rating or outcome. For guidance about your individual situation, consider consulting an accredited representative.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5162. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
Knowing the criteria is the first half. Getting your file to show them is the second.
Find your level in the stack
Read each rung against what your medical records already say. The level your records document today is the one the VA can support today.
Name the gap
Look at the rung above yours and write down exactly what it asks for that your file does not show yet — a diagnosis, a measurement, a prescribed brace, a doctor’s opinion linking it to service.
Claim it by code
File under diagnostic code 5162 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Musculoskeletal System codes may cover your secondary conditions.
Find out which rating your evidence supports.
Six reads your records against these exact criteria and tells you what the VA is still missing.
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