Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5106
Hand, Loss of Use Secondary to Ankylosis of the Ring or Little 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 Ring or Little Finger.
Why Hand, Loss of Use Is Linked to Ankylosis of the Ring or Little Finger
Small finger involvement may hinder fine motor skills.
Primary condition · VASRD 5231
Ankylosis of the Ring or Little Finger
Permanent stiffness or joint fusion of the ring or little finger.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5106
Hand, Loss of Use
Complete inability to use the hand for grasping or manipulation.
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 Ring or Little Finger — severity of Hand, Loss of Use itself determines the percentage.
Evidence for a Hand, Loss of Use Secondary Claim
- •Occupational therapy reports
- •Strength testing and daily task logs
Common questions about Hand, Loss of Use secondary to Ankylosis of the Ring or Little Finger
- Can Hand, Loss of Use be service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Ring or Little 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. Small finger involvement may hinder fine motor skills. You'll need a current Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-con…
- 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 5106 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 Ring or Little Finger.
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Hand, Loss of Use as secondary to Ankylosis of the Ring or Little Finger?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis includes: Occupational therapy reports; Strength testing and daily task logs. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider explaining how Ankylosis of the Ring or Little Finger caused or aggravated Hand, Loss of Use is typically t…
Primary condition
Full Ankylosis of the Ring or Little Finger guide
Secondary condition
Full Hand, Loss of Use guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Ankylosis of the Ring or Little 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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