[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 38, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 38CFR4.63]

[Page 385]
 
            TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF
 
                CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
 
PART 4_SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart B_Disability Ratings
 
Sec. 4.63  Loss of use of hand or foot.

    Loss of use of a hand or a foot, for the purpose of special monthly 
compensation, will be held to exist when no effective function remains 
other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation 
stump at the site of election below elbow or knee with use of a suitable 
prosthetic appliance. The determination will be made on the basis of the 
actual remaining function of the hand or foot, whether the acts of 
grasping, manipulation, etc., in the case of the hand, or of balance and 
propulsion, etc., in the case of the foot, could be accomplished equally 
well by an amputation stump with prosthesis.
    (a) Extremely unfavorable complete ankylosis of the knee, or 
complete ankylosis of 2 major joints of an extremity, or shortening of 
the lower extremity of 3\1/2\ inches (8.9 cms.) or more, will be taken 
as loss of use of the hand or foot involved.
    (b) Complete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve (common 
peroneal) and consequent, footdrop, accompanied by characteristic 
organic changes including trophic and circulatory disturbances and other 
concomitants confirmatory of complete paralysis of this nerve, will be 
taken as loss of use of the foot.

[29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 43 FR 45349, Oct. 2, 1978]