VA Diagnostic Code 5165At a lower level, permitting prosthesis
A single 40% rating under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires for it.
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- 40%
At a lower level, permitting prosthesis
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 (Diagnostic Code 5165)
Understanding This Rating
Diagnostic Code 5165 falls under the Musculoskeletal System and is governed by 38 CFR § 4.71a. It addresses an amputation of the leg "at a lower level, permitting prosthesis." In plain terms, this rating applies when the leg has been amputated at a level low enough that the residual limb can support and accommodate a prosthetic device.
Available Rating Level
Under this diagnostic code, there is a single disability rating level:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% | At a lower level, permitting prosthesis |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating a claim under Diagnostic Code 5165, the VA considers whether the amputation is at a lower level that permits the use of a prosthesis. Meeting this description corresponds to the 40% rating shown above.
Additional Note
- Veterans rated under this code may also be entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC). Special monthly compensation is an additional benefit that may apply in certain circumstances involving amputation and related conditions.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.71a. Individual ratings are determined by the VA based on the specific facts of each case.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5165. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
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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 5165 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Musculoskeletal System codes may cover your secondary conditions.
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