VA Diagnostic Code 5225Index finger, ankylosis of
A single 10% rating under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires for it.
Not the right code?
What each rating requires
The VA assigns the highest level your evidence actually supports. Read up the stack until your records stop matching.
- 10%10% non-dominant
Unfavorable or favorable
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 and whether an additional evaluation is warranted for resulting limitation of motion of other digits or interference with overall function of the hand.
Index Finger Ankylosis (VA Diagnostic Code 5225)
Understanding Ankylosis of the Index Finger
Ankylosis of the index finger is a condition in which the joint of the index finger has become stiff or fixed, limiting or preventing normal movement. The VA rates this condition under Diagnostic Code 5225, which falls within the Musculoskeletal System and is governed by § 4.71a of the VA's rating schedule.
Because your fingers play a key role in gripping, pinching, and performing everyday tasks, a fixed index finger joint can affect how your hand functions as a whole.
Available Rating Level
Under Diagnostic Code 5225, the VA provides the following disability rating:
| Rating | Criteria | Non-Dominant (Minor) Extremity |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Unfavorable or favorable ankylosis | 10% |
For this condition, the rating is 10% whether the ankylosis is favorable or unfavorable, and the percentage applies the same way for both the dominant and non-dominant (minor) hand.
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating ankylosis of the index finger, the VA considers more than just the finger joint itself. According to the rating guidance, the VA will also consider:
- Whether an evaluation as amputation is warranted — in some cases, a fixed finger may be rated based on the criteria used for amputation.
- Whether an additional evaluation is warranted for resulting limitation of motion of other digits, or for interference with the overall function of the hand.
This means the VA looks at how the ankylosis affects your finger, your other fingers, and the broader use of your hand.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5225. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5225. 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 5225 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.
Start for freeAll 159 Musculoskeletal System codes →