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VA & Benefits

Service-connected disability rating for amputation, explained

Short answer

Amputation ratings are set by VASRD body-system tables and are almost always evaluated highly for the limb itself, but your combined rating depends on residual limb condition, phantom pain, and any secondary conditions — most veterans under-claim the secondary conditions, not the amputation itself.

The VA rates amputation under 38 CFR Part 4, the VASRD — a below-elbow or below-knee amputation is rated differently from above-joint loss, and the exact level matters more than most first-time claimants expect. DRAFT NOTE: this needs a full pass on the current rating tables and percentages, plus a real reviewer (someone with lived experience or VA claims expertise) attached, before this is published.

Frequently asked

Does losing a limb automatically mean a 100% rating?
Not the combined rating — the amputation itself is rated highly, but your overall percentage depends on combining it with any secondary conditions under VA math, which isn't simple addition.
Can the rating change after your prosthetic is fitted?
Yes — re-evaluation can move a rating up or down as your residual limb and function change, particularly in the first 12–18 months.

Sources