What are the VA rating percentages for Thumb Amputation?

Thumb Amputation (DC 5152) is rated at 40%, 30%, 20% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5152. With metacarpal resection — Major hand only. (Per § 4.69, Major = dominant hand.)

What rates 40% for Thumb Amputation under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5152?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5152 (DC 5152), a 40% rating for Thumb Amputation requires: With metacarpal resection — Major hand only. (Per § 4.69, Major = dominant hand.)

What rates 30% for Thumb Amputation under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5152?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5152 (DC 5152), a 30% rating for Thumb Amputation requires: With metacarpal resection — Minor hand. OR — At metacarpophalangeal joint or through proximal phalanx — Major hand.

What happens during a C&P exam for Thumb Amputation?

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.

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Thumb Amputation

Q: What rates 20% for Thumb Amputation under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5152?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5152 (DC 5152), a 20% rating for Thumb Amputation requires: At metacarpophalangeal joint or through proximal phalanx — Minor hand. OR — At distal joint or through distal phalanx — Major or Minor.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Thumb Amputation VA claim?

Key evidence for a Thumb Amputation 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 515238 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5152

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

20–40%

3 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Thumb Amputation is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5152 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5152 across 3 severity tiers (40% / 30% / 20%). 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 the thumb at various levels, causing significant loss of grip, pinch, and hand function

Rating Criteria

40%

With metacarpal resection — Major hand only. (Per § 4.69, Major = dominant hand.)

30%

With metacarpal resection — Minor hand. OR — At metacarpophalangeal joint or through proximal phalanx — Major hand.

20%

At metacarpophalangeal joint or through proximal phalanx — Minor hand. OR — At distal joint or through distal phalanx — Major or 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 text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a (Musculoskeletal system). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.71a on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →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

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