---
title: "DC 5153 - Index finger, amputation of"
diagnostic_code: "5153"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5153-index-finger-amputation-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:36:49.391949Z"
---

# DC 5153 - Index finger, amputation of

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30% | 20% | With metacarpal resection (more than one-half the bone lost) |
| 20% | 20% | Without metacarpal resection, at proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto |
| 10% | 10% | Through middle phalanx or at distal joint |

## Notes

- Note: The single finger amputation ratings are the only applicable ratings for amputations of whole or part of single fingers.

# Index Finger Amputation (VA Diagnostic Code 5153)

*Musculoskeletal System · Rated under 38 CFR § 4.71a*

## Understanding This Rating

Diagnostic Code 5153 covers the amputation of the index finger. Under VA rules, the assigned rating depends on **how much of the finger (and, in some cases, the underlying hand bone) was lost** and on **which hand is affected**.

An important note applies here: the single finger amputation ratings are the only applicable ratings for amputations of the whole or part of a single finger.

The VA also considers whether the affected hand is your **dominant** ("major") or **non-dominant** ("minor") extremity, which can change the percentage in some cases.

## Available Rating Levels

| Rating (Dominant Hand) | Rating (Non-Dominant Hand) | What It Reflects |
|---|---|---|
| **30%** | 20% | Amputation **with metacarpal resection** — more than one-half the bone lost |
| **20%** | 20% | Amputation **without metacarpal resection**, at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto |
| **10%** | 10% | Amputation **through the middle phalanx or at the distal joint** |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating an index finger amputation, the VA reviews:

- **The location of the amputation** — for example, through the middle phalanx, at the distal joint, or at the proximal interphalangeal joint or above it.
- **Whether there was metacarpal resection** — specifically, whether more than one-half of the metacarpal bone was lost, which corresponds to the highest rating level.
- **Which hand is affected** — whether the amputation is on your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity.

---

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 5153 under 38 CFR § 4.71a. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not predict or guarantee any specific rating outcome.*

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