Ring and little finger loss

Medical records documenting the surgical or traumatic amputation of the ring and little fingers are central to establishing the rating level. The operative or pathology report should identify exactly which hand was affected — major (dominant) or minor (nondominant) — because that determines whether the 30% or 20% rate applies. Records showing the anatomical level of amputation matter greatly: a note or imaging report confirming loss at the proximal interphalangeal joint or through the proximal phalanx supports the base rating, while findings placing the loss at the middle or distal phalanx will shift how the condition is evaluated.

If metacarpal bone loss is also present, imaging such as X-rays documenting that more than half of the metacarpal bone was lost can support the additional 10-percentage-point add-on. Where ankylosis or limited finger motion accompanies the amputation, examination findings recording joint position, range of motion measurements, and the gap between fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm help VA determine the correct evaluation level. Statements from you describing how the loss affects grip, daily tasks, and work activities can help VA understand the overall functional impact.