Musculoskeletal

Knee Pain

Knee symptoms that may arise from limited motion, instability, meniscal injury, arthritis, or another diagnosis.

Regulatory summaries checked against eCFR current through July 9, 2026 · condition-library-2026.07.09 · record e06e63734c49

Quick rating reference

How VA may evaluate Knee Pain

Select a diagnostic code or shared formula to see the criteria that apply to that manifestation.

Verified summaries are labeled

Potential codesDC 5260 · DC 5261 · DC 5003 · DC 5055 · DC 5256 · DC 5257 · DC 5258 · DC 5259 · DC 5262 · DC 5263

Verified evaluation levels0% · 10% · 20% · 30% · 40% · 50%

Rating paths shown10

Choose a rating path

Diagnostic-code criteria

Limitation of knee flexion

This table uses the measured point at which the knee can no longer bend farther.

Plain-language summary verified

EvaluationPlain-language criteria summary

Flexion limited to 60°

The measured ability to bend the leg is limited to 60 degrees.

10%

Flexion limited to 45°

The measured ability to bend the leg is limited to 45 degrees.

20%

Flexion limited to 30°

The measured ability to bend the leg is limited to 30 degrees.

30%

Flexion limited to 15°

The measured ability to bend the leg is limited to 15 degrees.

Functional loss, painful motion, flare-ups, repeated use, and other knee manifestations can affect the evaluation. This table covers flexion only.

This reference explains the schedule; it does not predict an individual rating. VA determines the applicable code and evaluation from the complete record.

Overview

Pain is important evidence of functional loss, but a knee claim is generally clearer when the underlying diagnosis and manifestations are identified. Different findings may fall under different diagnostic codes.

What VA measures

The musculoskeletal schedule contains separate knee criteria for limitation of flexion or extension, instability, meniscal conditions, ankylosis, tibia/fibula impairment, and other diagnoses. Rules against evaluating the same manifestation twice still apply.

Measured flexion and extension

Instability or prescribed assistive device

Meniscal symptoms such as locking or effusion

Functional loss with repeated use and flare-ups

Specific underlying diagnosis

Evidence that may be useful

Orthopedic diagnosis and examination
Range-of-motion and stability testing
Imaging when clinically relevant
Surgery and physical-therapy records
Statements describing walking, stairs, kneeling, or standing limits

Helpful documentation habits

Identify which knee and the specific symptoms
Describe flare-ups and repeated-use limits
Document braces, canes, or other prescribed devices
Keep surgical and imaging reports

Common preparation gaps

Using “knee pain” without identifying clinical findings
Leaving out instability or locking
Reporting normal motion on one day without describing flare-ups

Diagnostic-code map

A diagnosis or body part can involve more than one code. The applicable code depends on the medical findings and manifestations in the record.

DC 5003§ 4.71a

Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic

Evaluated using limitation of motion of the affected joint, with additional schedule provisions when motion is noncompensable.

Official criteria

DC 5055§ 4.71a

Knee resurfacing or replacement

Addresses prosthetic knee replacement or resurfacing and qualifying residuals.

Official criteria

DC 5256§ 4.71a

Ankylosis of the knee

Addresses fixation of the knee at specified angles or positions.

Official criteria

DC 5257§ 4.71a

Recurrent subluxation, instability, or patellar instability

Uses separate criteria for recurrent subluxation or instability and for patellar instability.

Official criteria

DC 5258§ 4.71a

Dislocated semilunar cartilage

Addresses frequent locking, pain, and joint effusion associated with dislocated cartilage.

Official criteria

DC 5259§ 4.71a

Symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage

Addresses symptomatic residuals following removal of semilunar cartilage.

Official criteria

DC 5260§ 4.71a

Limitation of flexion of the leg

Uses measured limitation of knee flexion.

Official criteria

DC 5261§ 4.71a

Limitation of extension of the leg

Uses measured limitation of knee extension.

Official criteria

DC 5262§ 4.71a

Impairment of the tibia and fibula

Addresses specified tibia or fibula impairment, including qualifying malunion or nonunion residuals.

Official criteria

DC 5263§ 4.71a

Genu recurvatum

Addresses acquired, traumatic hyperextension of the knee with weakness and insecurity in weight-bearing.

Official criteria