---
title: "DC 5155 - Ring finger, amputation of:"
diagnostic_code: "5155"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5155-ring-finger-amputation-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:37:34.752158Z"
---

# DC 5155 - Ring 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.

# Ring Finger Amputation — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 5155)

*Musculoskeletal System · 38 CFR § 4.71a*

## Understanding This Rating

Diagnostic Code 5155 covers the **amputation of the ring finger**, whether it involves the whole finger or part of it. It falls under the VA's rating schedule for the musculoskeletal system.

**Important:** Under VA rules, 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 assigns a rating based on how much of the finger and surrounding bone is involved. For the ring finger, the ratings are the same whether the affected hand is your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity.

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

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating a ring finger amputation under this code, the VA considers:

- **Whether there is a metacarpal resection** — specifically, whether **more than one-half of the metacarpal bone** has been lost. This distinguishes the 20% rating from the 10% rating.
- **The location of the amputation** — for the 10% level, the amputation is **at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto** (without metacarpal resection).

These distinctions in bone loss and amputation location determine which rating level applies to your claim.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 5155 and is provided for general educational purposes.*

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