Little finger, amputation of — VA Diagnostic Code 5156

38 CFR § 4.69 says handedness for the purpose of a dominant rating will be determined by the evidence of record, or by testing on VA examination. Only one hand shall be considered dominant. The injured hand, or the most severely injured hand, of an ambidextrous individual will be considered the dominant hand for rating purposes. Section 4.69 does not use the words “Major” and “Minor.” Those are the column headings. On DC 5156 the two columns print the same number on each line, 20 and 20, then 10 and 10.

Paragraphs (a) through (f) are printed in the multiple-finger block, before the centered line “single finger amputations.” Paragraph (b) says amputation through middle phalanges will be rated as prescribed for unfavorable ankylosis of the fingers. Paragraph (c) says amputations at distal joints, or through distal phalanges, other than negligible losses, will be rated as prescribed for favorable ankylosis of the fingers. Paragraph (d) adds 10 percent, not combined, for metacarpal resection of more than one-half the bone in multiple fingers injuries, subject to the amputation rule applied to the forearm. The note after DC 5156 says the single finger amputation ratings are the only applicable ratings for amputations of whole or part of single fingers. This page quotes both texts. It does not choose between them.

DC 5155 is “Ring finger, amputation of:”. It prints the same two lines and the same 20 and 10 in both columns. DC 5227 is ring or little finger, ankylosis of: unfavorable or favorable is 0 major and 0 minor. Paragraph (3)(i) of the digit rules says that if both the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of a digit are ankylosed, and either is in extension or full flexion, or there is rotation or angulation of a bone, evaluate as amputation without metacarpal resection, at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto. That sentence names the 10 percent line. It does not name the 20 percent metacarpal-resection line. DC 5230 is ring or little finger, limitation of motion: any limitation of motion is 0 major and 0 minor.

38 CFR § 4.68 says the combined rating for disabilities of an extremity shall not exceed the rating for the amputation at the elective level, were amputation to be performed. The example is the 40 percent evaluation, diagnostic code 5165. The example does not name DC 5156. 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

The code prints no 0 percent line. 38 CFR § 4.31 says that in every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met. 38 CFR § 3.350(a) says special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1114(k) is payable for each anatomical loss or loss of use of one hand, one foot, and the other losses that sentence lists. The DC 5156 cells do not carry footnote 1. This page does not state a payment amount.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “little finger.” DC 5156 is a rating-schedule line.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5156, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.