---
title: "DC 5229 - Index or long finger, limitation of motion"
diagnostic_code: "5229"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5229-index-or-long-finger-limitation-of-motion"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:53:47.854734Z"
---

# DC 5229 - Index or long finger, limitation of motion

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10% | 10% | With a gap of one inch (2.5 cm.) or more between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm, with the finger flexed to the extent possible, or; with extension limited by more than 30 degrees |
| 0% | 0% | With a gap of less than one inch (2.5 cm.) between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm, with the finger flexed to the extent possible, and; extension is limited by no more than 30 degrees |

# Index or Long Finger, Limitation of Motion (VA Diagnostic Code 5229)

## Understanding Your Rating for Limited Finger Movement

If an injury or condition limits how well you can move your **index finger** or **long (middle) finger**, the VA has a specific way of evaluating it. This entry falls under **Diagnostic Code 5229** in the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (**§ 4.71a**), within the **Musculoskeletal System**.

---

## What This Condition Involves

This rating covers **limitation of motion** in the index finger or the long finger. In plain terms, it addresses how far the finger can bend toward the palm and how fully it can straighten (extend). The VA measures this in two main ways:

- **The gap when bending:** How much space remains between the tip of your finger and the proximal transverse crease of your palm when you flex the finger as far as you can.
- **Limited extension:** How many degrees short of full straightening the finger falls.

---

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following ratings based on the severity of the limitation. These ratings apply the same whether the affected hand is your dominant or non-dominant (minor) extremity.

### 10% Rating
Assigned when there is:
- A **gap of one inch (2.5 cm) or more** between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm, with the finger flexed to the extent possible, **or**
- **Extension limited by more than 30 degrees.**

*(Non-dominant extremity: 10%)*

### 0% Rating
Assigned when there is:
- A **gap of less than one inch (2.5 cm)** between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm, with the finger flexed to the extent possible, **and**
- **Extension limited by no more than 30 degrees.**

*(Non-dominant extremity: 0%)*

---

## What the VA Looks For When Rating This Condition

When evaluating limitation of motion in the index or long finger, the VA focuses on measurable range of motion:

- **The bending gap** — the distance between your fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm when the finger is flexed as far as possible.
- **Extension limits** — how many degrees your finger falls short of full extension, with more than 30 degrees of limitation being a key threshold.

The rating you receive depends on where your measurements fall relative to these thresholds.

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