Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5125
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
Loss of supporting fingers in grip movement
Primary condition · VASRD 5227
Ankylosis of the Ring or Little Finger
The ring or little finger is fixed in one position. DC 5227 is a single 0 percent row: the ankylosis is recognised as a disability but the code awards no compensation for it on its own, whichever hand it is on and whether the fixed position is favorable or unfavorable.
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 Ring or Little Finger — severity of Hand, Loss of Use itself determines the percentage.
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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 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. Loss of supporting fingers in grip movement You'll need a current Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Anky…
- 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 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 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 Ring or Little Finger caused or aggravated Hand,…
Primary condition
Full Ankylosis of the Ring or Little Finger guide
Secondary condition
Full Hand, Loss of Use guide
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