What rates 40% for Multiple Finger Amputations under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126 (DC 5126), a 40% rating for Multiple Finger Amputations requires: DC 5142-5143 verbatim — Two-digit amputations thumb+index (DC 5142) or thumb+long (DC 5143): 40 percent major / 30 percent minor.

What happens during a C&P exam for Multiple Finger Amputations?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Multiple Finger Amputations

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Multiple Finger Amputations?

Multiple Finger Amputations (DC 5126) is rated at 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126. DC 5126 verbatim — Five digits of one hand: 70 major / 60 minor (footnote 1 SMC). DC 5127-5131 verbatim — Four digits of one hand involving thumb (5 combinations): 70/60.

Q: What rates 70% for Multiple Finger Amputations under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126 (DC 5126), a 70% rating for Multiple Finger Amputations requires: DC 5126 verbatim — Five digits of one hand: 70 major / 60 minor (footnote 1 SMC). DC 5127-5131 verbatim — Four digits of one hand involving thumb (5 combinations): 70/60.

Q: What rates 60% for Multiple Finger Amputations under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126 (DC 5126), a 60% rating for Multiple Finger Amputations requires: DC 5132-5137 verbatim — Three-digit amputation combinations involving thumb (thumb+index+long, thumb+index+ring, etc.): 60 percent major / 50 percent minor.

Q: What rates 50% for Multiple Finger Amputations under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126 (DC 5126), a 50% rating for Multiple Finger Amputations requires: DC 5138-5141 verbatim — Three non-thumb digits (index+long+ring, etc.): 50 major / 40 minor. DC 5144-5147 verbatim — Two-digit amputations involving thumb (thumb+ring, thumb+little, index+long, index+ring): 50 major / 40 minor.

Q: What rates 30% for Multiple Finger Amputations under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126 (DC 5126), a 30% rating for Multiple Finger Amputations requires: DC 5148-5151 verbatim — Two-digit amputations not involving thumb (index+little, long+ring, long+little, ring+little): 30 percent major / 20 percent minor.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Multiple Finger Amputations VA claim?

Key evidence for a Multiple Finger Amputations claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 512638 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5126

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

30–70%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Multiple Finger Amputations is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5126 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5126 across 5 severity tiers (70% / 60% / 50% / 40% / 30%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Amputation of two or more fingers causing severe loss of hand function, grip strength, and fine motor dexterity

Rating Criteria

70%

DC 5126 verbatim — Five digits of one hand: 70 major / 60 minor (footnote 1 SMC). DC 5127-5131 verbatim — Four digits of one hand involving thumb (5 combinations): 70/60.

60%

DC 5132-5137 verbatim — Three-digit amputation combinations involving thumb (thumb+index+long, thumb+index+ring, etc.): 60 percent major / 50 percent minor.

50%

DC 5138-5141 verbatim — Three non-thumb digits (index+long+ring, etc.): 50 major / 40 minor. DC 5144-5147 verbatim — Two-digit amputations involving thumb (thumb+ring, thumb+little, index+long, index+ring): 50 major / 40 minor.

40%

DC 5142-5143 verbatim — Two-digit amputations thumb+index (DC 5142) or thumb+long (DC 5143): 40 percent major / 30 percent minor.

30%

DC 5148-5151 verbatim — Two-digit amputations not involving thumb (index+little, long+ring, long+little, ring+little): 30 percent major / 20 percent minor.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

LOADING