VA Diagnostic Code 5219Two digits of one hand, unfavorable ankylosis of
Rated from 20% to 40% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 40%30% non-dominant
Thumb and any finger
- 30%20% non-dominant
Index and long; index and ring; or index and little fingers
- 20%20% non-dominant
Long and ring; long and little; or ring and little fingers
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Also consider whether evaluation as amputation is warranted.
Unfavorable Ankylosis of Two Digits of One Hand — VA Rating (Diagnostic Code 5219)
Musculoskeletal System · 38 CFR § 4.71a · Diagnostic Code 5219
What This Condition Is
This rating covers unfavorable ankylosis of two digits (fingers or thumb) of one hand. Ankylosis means a joint has become stiff or fixed, limiting or preventing normal movement. "Unfavorable" describes ankylosis fixed in a position that interferes more significantly with hand function.
Because hand use often depends on which hand is affected, the VA schedule provides separate rating levels for the dominant (major) hand and the non-dominant (minor) hand.
Available Rating Levels
The rating depends on which two digits are affected and whether the hand is your dominant or non-dominant extremity.
| Criteria | Dominant Hand | Non-Dominant Hand |
|---|---|---|
| Thumb and any finger | 40% | 30% |
| Index and long; index and ring; or index and little fingers | 30% | 20% |
| Long and ring; long and little; or ring and little fingers | 20% | 20% |
What the VA Looks At
When applying this diagnostic code, the VA considers:
- Which two digits are affected — different combinations of the thumb and fingers correspond to different rating levels.
- Whether the affected hand is your dominant or non-dominant extremity, which can change the assigned percentage.
- Whether evaluation as an amputation is warranted. Per the rating notes, the VA also considers whether the loss of function is severe enough that rating the condition as an amputation would be more appropriate.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 5219. It is provided for general educational purposes and describes how this condition is structured in the rating schedule. Individual evaluations depend on your specific medical evidence and circumstances.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5219. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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