YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger under diagnostic code 5226, in 38 CFR § 4.71a (musculoskeletal system), and the schedule provides a single evaluation under it: 10%.
Free · No account needed
Save your Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger guide
Email yourself this Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger guide so the rating criteria, evidence checklist, and preparation tips are easy to find later.
A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
The long (middle) finger is fixed in one position and no longer bends. DC 5226 is a single 10 percent evaluation: favorable and unfavorable ankylosis are rated the same, and so are the dominant and non-dominant hands.
DC 5226 has one rating row - 'Unfavorable or favorable' - at 10 percent in both the major (dominant) and minor (non-dominant) columns, so neither the fixed position nor hand dominance moves the evaluation. There is no noncompensable tier under this code. The code's note adds: 'Also consider whether evaluation as amputation is warranted and whether an additional evaluation is warranted for resulting limitation of motion of other digits or interference with overall function of the hand.' A long finger that still moves but is restricted is rated under DC 5229 (index or long finger, limitation of motion), and a long finger ankylosed together with a second digit moves to the multiple-digit codes, DC 5216 through DC 5223.
- Diagnostic code
- 5226
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Schedule levels
- 10%
How does the VA choose a rating level?
There is no higher or lower step inside this code: a rating decision either finds its criteria met or it does not. Where they are not met, 38 CFR § 4.31 assigns a 0% evaluation: service connection granted, at a level that does not pay.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger VA rating criteria (DC 5226)
This condition has one published rating level. Read the criteria, then explore the details and monthly pay.
These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.
IN THE REGULATION’S OWN WORDS
What 38 CFR also says about Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
The notes 38 CFR Part 4 prints with these criteria, quoted. They govern how the evaluation is made without being a rating level themselves.
- “Note: Also consider whether evaluation as amputation is warranted and whether an additional evaluation is warranted for resulting limitation of motion of other digits or interference with overall function of the hand.”DC 5226
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger claim
A long list feels easier when you have a place to start. Use this checklist to see what you have and what still needs gathering.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
THE EXAM FORM
Which DBQ is used for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger?
VA's page says: “You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers.”
Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.
THE EVERYDAY PICTURE
What the Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger examination has to record
The criteria above are read off an examination, and three sections of Part 4 govern what that examination has to contain. None of them is a diagnostic code, so none of them appears in the 5226 table, and all three apply to it. 38 CFR § 4.40: “Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled.”
38 CFR § 4.45 lists what an examination of a joint is directed to consider:
- Less movement than normal (due to ankylosis, limitation or blocking, adhesions, tendon-tie-up, contracted scars, etc.).
- More movement than normal (from flail joint, resections, nonunion of fracture, relaxation of ligaments, etc.).
- Weakened movement (due to muscle injury, disease or injury of peripheral nerves, divided or lengthened tendons, etc.).
- Excess fatigability.
- Incoordination, impaired ability to execute skilled movements smoothly.
- Pain on movement, swelling, deformity or atrophy of disuse.
38 CFR § 4.59: “It is the intention to recognize actually painful, unstable, or malaligned joints, due to healed injury, as entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint.” So a joint that is painful on use is not a finding of nothing, even where the measured motion is close to normal.
The same section says how the joint is to be tested: “The joints involved should be tested for pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing and, if possible, with the range of the opposite undamaged joint.” An examination that records one measurement, taken once, sitting down, has not done what the section asks, and that is worth reading the exam report for.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.
Preparing your Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger claim
Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.
Practical tips for your claim3 tips
- 01
Document impact on daily tasks like typing or driving
- 02
Include supporting imaging
- 03
Mention ongoing treatment or surgery if applicable
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind3 tips
- 01
Insufficient detail about range of motion loss
- 02
No clear evidence of how function is impacted
- 03
Failing to specify finger position category
Common filing mistakes3 tips
- 01
Claiming without proof of fixation
- 02
No functional limitation discussion
- 03
Omitting imaging or provider documentation
When symptoms may first appear3 tips
- 01
Repeated trauma or fracture
- 02
Post-operative fusion
- 03
Joint damage from arthritis or infection
THE BROADER PICTURE
Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- Moderate if the ankylosis is unfavorable or limits hand use.
- Veterans service-connected
- ~5,300 veterans
- Typical rating awarded
- ~10%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule, not official VA statistics.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
Is Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger under VASRD diagnostic code 5226 (Musculoskeletal System). The long (middle) finger is fixed in one position and no longer bends. DC 5226 is a single 10 percent evaluation: favorable and unfavorable ankylosis are rated the same, and so are the dominant and non-dominant hands.
What VA disability rating can I get for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger?
Possible VA ratings for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger are 10%, 0%. The 0% level comes from 38 CFR 4.31, which assigns it wherever no compensable level is met. Examples: 10%: Ankylosis of the long (middle) finger, unfavorable or favorable. DC 5226's single rating row is 10 percent, the same in the major and minor columns.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 5,300 veterans are service-connected for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger. Estimated approval outlook: Moderate if the ankylosis is unfavorable or limits hand use.
What evidence helps prove Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger claim includes: Occupational therapy notes and grip test results; Medical imaging confirming fixed position; Orthopedic evaluation describing finger stiffness.
Which DBQ is used for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger?
VA's Hand and Finger Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is on its public list of DBQs. VA's page says: "You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers."
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger?
Common pitfalls when filing for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger: Claiming without proof of fixation; No functional limitation discussion; Omitting imaging or provider documentation.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5226)
- 38 CFR § 4.31, zero percent evaluations
- 38 CFR § 4.40, functional loss
- 38 CFR § 4.45, the joints
- 38 CFR § 4.59, painful motion
Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
VA Calc: Disability Pay
Combine your ratings & see monthly pay on your iPhone · Works offline