Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5125
Hand, Loss of Use Secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
A condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted its own service connection as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310. Here's how that works for Hand, Loss of Use when it develops after Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger.
Why Hand, Loss of Use Is Linked to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
Reduced use of affected finger
Primary condition · VASRD 5226
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.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5125
Hand, Loss of Use
This code covers loss of use of one hand - the point at which the hand keeps no effective function, whether the cause is a crush injury, nerve paralysis or anything else. It rates the dominant (major) hand at 70 percent and the non-dominant (minor) hand at 60. It is loss of function, not amputation: the amputation levels have their own codes.
Hand, Loss of Use VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Hand, Loss of Use the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger — severity of Hand, Loss of Use itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
10% Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger + 70% Hand, Loss of Use = 73%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 10% and 70% combine to 73%, not 80%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
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Evidence for a Hand, Loss of Use Secondary Claim
- •Occupational therapy reports assessing hand function.
- •Strength testing and daily task logs.
Common questions about Hand, Loss of Use secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
- Can Hand, Loss of Use be service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger?
- Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted secondary service connection. Reduced use of affected finger You'll need a current Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Ankylosis of the…
- What VA rating can I get for Hand, Loss of Use as a secondary condition?
- Hand, Loss of Use is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5125 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 70%, 60%. The rating depends on the severity of Hand, Loss of Use itself, not on the severity of Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger.
- How does a secondary Hand, Loss of Use claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 10% rating for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger combined with a 70% rating for Hand, Loss of Use (example figures) produces a combined rating of 73%, not 80%. Approving Hand, Loss of Use as secondary still typically…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Hand, Loss of Use as secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis includes: Occupational therapy reports assessing hand function.; Strength testing and daily task logs.. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider explaining how Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger caused or aggravated Hand, L…
Primary condition
Full Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger guide
Secondary condition
Full Hand, Loss of Use guide
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See how Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger and Hand, Loss of Use combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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