Claim Raven explanation
What this means
Some upper-extremity diagnostic codes distinguish the dominant and nondominant side. VA determines handedness from the evidence or examination testing, and only one hand is treated as dominant.
For an ambidextrous person, the injured hand or the more severely injured hand is considered dominant for rating purposes. A copied record entry should be checked against the actual history and findings.
How this helps your claim
This helps you verify which column of a rating table VA used. Correct handedness can matter even when the diagnosis and examination measurements are otherwise recorded accurately.
What to check in your records
Use your decision, examination reports, and relevant records to check the following points.
- Check whether the examination records your dominant hand correctly.
- Compare earlier records if later reports contain a different entry.
- Confirm the decision used the appropriate dominant or nondominant criteria.
Check that the correct side is used throughout
Some arm and hand codes assign different evaluations for the dominant and nondominant side. A mistaken handedness entry can therefore affect how the same findings are evaluated. Compare the examination, history and rating sheet for consistent identification of the injured side.
If the records differ, identify the specific discrepancy rather than assuming the highest available side-specific percentage applies. The regulation supplies a rule for an ambidextrous person, and only one hand is treated as dominant. The actual evidence should determine the classification.
Does a dominant-side injury always receive a higher percentage?
No. It depends on whether the particular diagnostic code distinguishes the sides and at what severity level. Handedness is relevant where the schedule makes it relevant. It does not create an automatic additional evaluation for every injury involving the preferred hand.
Official regulatory text
38 CFR § 4.69
eCFR snapshot: September 3, 2026. Layout and spacing are adapted for reading. The full section and its tables are included below.
§ 4.69 Dominant hand.
Handedness for the purpose of a dominant rating will be determined by the evidence of record, or by testing on VA examination. Only one hand shall be considered dominant. The injured hand, or the most severely injured hand, of an ambidextrous individual will be considered the dominant hand for rating purposes.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155)
[62 FR 30239, June 3, 1997]
Related references
- 38 USC § 1155: The law behind VA disability rating percentages
- 38 CFR § 4.1: What a VA disability rating measures
- 38 CFR § 3.159: VA duty to assist: records and examinations
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