Knee, other impairment (DC 5257) | VA Rating Tool
| Diagnostic Code | 5257 |
|---|---|
| Category | The Musculoskeletal System |
| Subcategory | Knee and Leg |
| Also Known As | knee instability, knee pain, Knee, other, knee giving way, knee buckling, torn ligament, ACL, MCL, bad knees, knee pain, knee injury, blown out knee, acl tear, torn meniscus, knee replacement |
| CFR Section | 38 CFR § 4.71a |
📊 What Veterans Actually Get
Knee instability is rated at 10% (slight), 20% (moderate), or 30% (severe). About 55% of veterans receive 10%. This can be rated IN ADDITION to limitation of motion ratings for the same knee.
Next Steps for This Condition
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 30% | A diagnosed condition involving the patellofemoral complex with recurrent instability after surgical repair that requires a prescription by a medical provider for a brace and either a cane or a walker |
| 30% | Unrepaired or failed repair of complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, and a medical provider prescribes both an assistive device ( e.g., cane(s), crutch(es), walker) and bracing for ambulation |
| 20% | (b) Unrepaired or failed repair of complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, and a medical provider prescribes either an assistive device ( e.g., cane(s), crutch(es), walker) or bracing for ambulation |
| 20% | A diagnosed condition involving the patellofemoral complex with recurrent instability after surgical repair that requires a prescription by a medical provider for one of the following: A brace, cane, or walker |
| 10% | A diagnosed condition involving the patellofemoral complex with recurrent instability (with or without history of surgical repair) that does not require a prescription from a medical provider for a brace, cane, or walker |
| 10% | Sprain, incomplete ligament tear, or complete ligament tear (repaired, unrepaired, or failed repair) causing persistent instability, without a prescription from a medical provider for an assistive device ( e.g., cane(s), crutch(es), walker) or bracing for ambulation |
Conditions Secondary to This
7 linksPrior knee injury is a leading cause of post-traumatic arthritis.
Favoring the injured knee often overloads the opposite knee.
Limping and altered gait from knee injury place abnormal stress on the lumbar spine.
Compensating for knee pain shifts extra load to the hip joint.
Gait compensation affects ankle mechanics and can lead to chronic ankle pain.
Altered gait mechanics affect the feet and can worsen flatfoot-type symptoms.
Loss of mobility and chronic pain contribute to depression.
This May Be Secondary To
12 linksAnkle injuries alter gait mechanics, stressing the knee
Altered gait from chronic back pain puts abnormal stress on the knees.
Flat feet alter lower limb alignment and place extra stress on the knee joint.
Altered gait from disc-related back pain places abnormal stress on the knees.
Favoring the injured knee often overloads the opposite knee.
Favoring one knee often overloads the opposite knee.
Favoring one knee can overload the opposite knee over time.
Altered gait from back pain puts abnormal stress on the knees. This is a well-documented biomechanical link.
Foot pain alters gait, stressing the knee joint
Post-traumatic arthritis commonly develops in injured joints
Altered gait from hip pain overloads the knee
Compensating gait from sciatica stresses the knee
Disclaimer: Secondary connections shown are based on commonly established medical links. Individual claims require medical evidence. Consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney.