Special rating instructions

• (a) The ratings for multiple finger amputations apply to amputations at the proximal interphalangeal joints or through proximal phalanges.
• (b) Amputation through middle phalanges will be rated as prescribed for unfavorable ankylosis of the fingers.
• (c) Amputations at distal joints, or through distal phalanges, other than negligible losses, will be rated as prescribed for favorable ankylosis of the fingers.
• (d) Amputation or resection of metacarpal bones (more than one-half the bone lost) in multiple fingers injuries will require a rating of 10 percent added to (not combined with) the ratings, multiple finger amputations, subject to the amputation rule applied to the forearm.
• (e) Combinations of finger amputations at various levels, or finger amputations with ankylosis or limitation of motion of the fingers will be rated on the basis of the grade of disability; i.e. , amputation, unfavorable ankylosis, most representative of the levels or combinations. With an even number of fingers involved, and adjacent grades of disability, select the higher of the two grades.
• (f) Loss of use of the hand will be held to exist when no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation stump with a suitable prosthetic appliance.
• single finger amputations

Body system and anatomy metadata

Body system: Musculoskeletal

Anatomy / region tags: multi region

These tags support discovery and body-map compatibility. They do not establish Veteran-specific laterality or entitlement.

Official VA DBQ references

DBQ catalog: va-dbq-2026.09.16 · Retrieved 2026-09-16. Official VA inventory ↗

• Amputations ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Ankle ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Bones and Other Skeletal Conditions ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Elbow & Forearm ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Foot Conditions Including Flatfoot (Pes Planus) ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Hand and Finger ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Hip and Thigh ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Knee and Lower Leg ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Muscle Injuries ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Neck (Cervical Spine) ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Osteomyelitis ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Shoulder and/or Arm ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Temporomandibular Disorders ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Wrist ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Musculoskeletal

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Arthritis ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Rheumatological

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Rheumatological

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and other Autoimmune Diseases ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Rheumatological

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

VA maintains some examination forms that are not available for public use. VMC does not infer a one-code-to-one-DBQ relationship.

Evidence information

When reviewing the criteria, useful evidence categories can include diagnosis and treatment records, objective testing identified by the schedule, documented frequency/duration/severity when the criteria use those concepts, and functional effects described in medical or lay evidence. The relevant evidence depends on the actual claim and medical facts.

VMC does not diagnose conditions, guarantee a percentage, or advise anyone to exaggerate symptoms.