VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
DC 5229: Index Or Long Finger, Limitation Of Motion
Read VA diagnostic code 5229 for Index or long finger, limitation of motion: published criteria, regulatory notes, related codes and official sources checked October 25, 2026.
Published criteria from 38 CFR 4.71a, current through 2026-10-22. Historical decisions may require a different version. This reference does not diagnose a condition or determine an evaluation.
The Musculoskeletal System · All Diagnostic Codes
DC 5229: Index Or Long Finger, Limitation Of Motion
Diagnostic code 5229 addresses Index or long finger, limitation of motion. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.
| Rating | ||
|---|---|---|
| Major | Minor | |
| 5229 Index or long finger, limitation of motion: | ||
| With a gap of one inch (2.5 cm.) or more between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm, with the finger flexed to the extent possible, or; with extension limited by more than 30 degrees | 10 | 10 |
| With a gap of less than one inch (2.5 cm.) between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm, with the finger flexed to the extent possible, and; extension is limited by no more than 30 degrees | 0 | 0 |
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 5229, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- If the table distinguishes sides, does the record identify the affected side and the dominant extremity?
- Do the examination findings record the relevant movement measurements and explain functional limitations, flare-ups and repeated use where applicable?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
Related Public DBQs
Editorial subject matches, not official VA code-to-form assignments. Read the form scope and clinician instructions.
Shared Rules And Regulatory Context
- 38 CFR 4.71a Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.40 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.41 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.42 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.43 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.44 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.45 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.46 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.57 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.58 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.59 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.61 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.62 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.63 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.64 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.66 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.67 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.68 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.69 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.70 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.71 Context And Notes
Context provisions do not create an additional evaluation automatically assigned to every condition.
Related Guides
Official Sources
Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71a
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.40
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.41
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.42
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.43
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.44
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.45
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.46
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.57
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.58
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.59
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.61
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.62
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.63
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.64
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.66
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.67
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.68
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.69
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.70
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71
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