Complete stiffness of four fingers on one hand in unfavorable positions.
Medical records documenting the specific fingers affected and which hand is involved are central to this rating. An examination that identifies each ankylosed joint — the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, or carpometacarpal joints — and records the position in which they are fixed will show whether the ankylosis meets the unfavorable standard. If only one joint per finger is ankylosed, an examiner's measurement of the gap between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm — with the finger flexed as far as possible — matters: a gap greater than two inches supports an unfavorable finding.
Imaging such as X-rays can confirm joint fusion, bony angulation, or rotation that also qualifies as unfavorable. Records identifying which hand is your major and which is your minor hand affect which percentage applies. Statements from you or others describing how the stiffened fingers limit gripping, pinching, or other hand use in work and daily activities can help show the overall functional picture the examiner and rater consider.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
