Thumb, long and little finger loss

Medical records documenting the anatomical loss or loss of use of the thumb, long finger, and little finger on the same hand are central to this rating. Operative reports, pathology records, or clinical notes confirming amputation or the equivalent loss of use of all three digits help establish what was lost and when. VA examination findings that describe which hand is affected — and whether that hand is your major or minor hand — directly determine whether the 60% or 50% level applies.

If the disability involves ankylosis rather than amputation, examination records should show whether joints are fixed in favorable or unfavorable positions, whether both joints of a digit are involved, and the measured gap between fingertips and the proximal transverse crease of the palm when flexed. For the thumb, records should show the gap between the thumb pad and the fingers during attempted opposition. Your own statements describing how the loss of these three digits affects tasks at work and in daily life can help VA understand the functional picture alongside the clinical findings.