---
title: "DC 5154 - Long finger, amputation of:"
diagnostic_code: "5154"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5154-long-finger-amputation-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:37:15.500756Z"
---

# DC 5154 - Long finger, amputation of:

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

## Rating criteria

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

## Notes

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

# Amputation of the Long Finger (VA Diagnostic Code 5154)

*Musculoskeletal System — 38 CFR § 4.71a*

## Understanding This Condition

Diagnostic Code 5154 covers the **amputation of the long finger**. Under this code, the VA assigns a disability rating based on how much of the finger — and the underlying hand bone — has been lost.

An important point to know: the single finger amputation ratings are the **only** applicable ratings for amputations of a whole or part of a single finger.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA evaluates this condition at two levels. Notably, the rating is the same whether the amputation affects your **dominant** or **non-dominant** hand.

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **20%** | Amputation with metacarpal resection (more than one-half the bone lost) — 20% for both dominant and non-dominant extremity |
| **10%** | Amputation without metacarpal resection, at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto — 10% for both dominant and non-dominant extremity |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating an amputation of the long finger, the VA focuses on:

- **Whether there is metacarpal resection** — specifically, whether more than one-half of the metacarpal bone has been lost. This is the key factor separating the 20% and 10% levels.
- **The location of the amputation** — for the 10% level, whether the amputation is at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal to it (closer to the hand).

Because the ratings under this code apply equally to the dominant and non-dominant hand, which hand is affected does not change the assigned percentage.

---

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule at 38 CFR § 4.71a and is provided for general educational purposes. It reflects the rating criteria as written and does not predict any individual outcome.*

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