---
title: "DC 5151 - Ring and little"
diagnostic_code: "5151"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5151-ring-and-little"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:36:02.864891Z"
---

# DC 5151 - Ring and little

Rated under § 4.71a. Body system: Musculoskeletal System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30% | 20% | Ring and little |

## Notes

- (a) The ratings for multiple finger amputations apply to amputations at the proximal interphalangeal joints or through proximal phalanges.
- (b) Amputation through middle phalanges will be rated as prescribed for unfavorable ankylosis of the fingers.
- (c) Amputations at distal joints, or through distal phalanges, other than negligible losses, will be rated as prescribed for favorable ankylosis of the fingers.
- (d) Amputation or resection of metacarpal bones (more than one-half the bone lost) in multiple fingers injuries will require a rating of 10 percent added to (not combined with) the ratings, multiple finger amputations, subject to the amputation rule applied to the forearm.
- (e) Combinations of finger amputations at various levels, or finger amputations with ankylosis or limitation of motion of the fingers will be rated on the basis of the grade of disability; i.e., amputation, unfavorable ankylosis, most representative of the levels or combinations. With an even number of fingers involved, and adjacent grades of disability, select the higher of the two grades.
- (f) Loss of use of the hand will be held to exist when no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation stump with a suitable prosthetic appliance.

# VA Disability Rating: Amputation of the Ring and Little Fingers (Diagnostic Code 5151)

## Understanding This Rating

**Diagnostic Code:** 5151
**Regulation:** § 4.71a
**Body System:** Musculoskeletal System

This entry covers the amputation of the ring and little fingers under the VA's rating schedule for the musculoskeletal system. The rating reflects the loss of these fingers and is evaluated differently depending on whether the affected hand is your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a rating for amputation of the ring and little fingers based on which hand is involved:

| Rating | Criteria | Non-Dominant (Minor) Extremity |
|--------|----------|-------------------------------|
| 30% | Ring and little (amputation) | 20% |

- **30%** applies when the amputation affects your **dominant** hand.
- **20%** applies when the amputation affects your **non-dominant** hand.

## What the VA Looks For

When rating amputations of the fingers under this section, the VA applies several specific rules to determine how the disability is evaluated:

- **Level of amputation matters.** The ratings for multiple finger amputations apply to amputations **at the proximal interphalangeal joints or through the proximal phalanges**.

- **Amputation through the middle phalanges** is rated as prescribed for **unfavorable ankylosis** of the fingers.

- **Amputation at the distal joints, or through the distal phalanges** — other than negligible losses — is rated as prescribed for **favorable ankylosis** of the fingers.

- **Loss of metacarpal bone.** If more than one-half of the metacarpal bone is lost or resected in multiple-finger injuries, an additional **10 percent is added (not combined)** to the multiple finger amputation ratings, subject to the amputation rule applied to the forearm.

- **Combinations of amputations and other impairments.** Combinations of finger amputations at various levels — or finger amputations together with ankylosis or limitation of motion — are rated based on the **grade of disability** (amputation or unfavorable ankylosis) most representative of the levels or combinations involved. When an even number of fingers is involved and the disability spans adjacent grades, the **higher of the two grades** is selected.

- **Loss of use of the hand.** Loss of use is considered to exist when **no effective function remains** other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump fitted with a suitable prosthetic appliance.

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under § 4.71a and is provided for general educational purposes only.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a