---
title: "DC 5223 - Two digits of one hand, favorable ankylosis of"
diagnostic_code: "5223"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5223-two-digits-of-one-hand-favorable-ankylosis-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:51:52.829146Z"
---

# DC 5223 - Two digits of one hand, favorable ankylosis of

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30% | 20% | Thumb and any finger |
| 20% | 20% | Index and long; index and ring; or index and little fingers |
| 10% | 10% | Long and ring; long and little; or ring and little fingers |

# Favorable Ankylosis of Two Digits of One Hand (VA Diagnostic Code 5223)

## Understanding This Condition

**Diagnostic Code 5223** covers *favorable ankylosis of two digits of one hand*. It falls under the **Musculoskeletal System** and is rated under **§ 4.71a** of the VA rating schedule.

Ankylosis refers to a joint that has become stiffened or fixed in position. This diagnostic code specifically addresses situations where **two digits of the same hand** are affected by favorable ankylosis.

The rating level depends on **which two digits are involved**. It also matters whether the affected hand is your **dominant (major)** hand or your **non-dominant (minor)** hand — some rating levels differ based on this distinction.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a disability rating based on which combination of digits is affected:

| Rating (Dominant Hand) | Rating (Non-Dominant Hand) | Digits Affected |
|---|---|---|
| **30%** | **20%** | Thumb and any finger |
| **20%** | **20%** | Index and long; index and ring; or index and little fingers |
| **10%** | **10%** | Long and ring; long and little; or ring and little fingers |

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating a claim under Diagnostic Code 5223, the VA considers:

- **Which two digits of the hand** are affected by favorable ankylosis.
- **Whether the thumb is one of the affected digits**, as combinations involving the thumb are rated at the highest level (30% for the dominant hand, 20% for the non-dominant hand).
- **Whether the affected hand is your dominant or non-dominant hand**, which can change the rating percentage assigned.
- The **specific combination of fingers** involved — for example, combinations including the index finger are rated differently than combinations of the long, ring, and little fingers.

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 5223 and is provided for general educational purposes. Individual ratings are determined by the VA based on the specifics of each case.*

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