EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Knee Instability (Recurrent Subluxation)
DC 5257 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257 |
Knee Instability (Recurrent Subluxation) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5257 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257 across 3 severity tiers (30% -- Severe instability / 20% -- Moderate instability / 10% -- Slight instability). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.
OVERVIEW
Chronic knee instability with recurrent subluxation or giving way episodes, requiring bracing and limiting weight-bearing activities
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
30% -- Severe instability
Frequent giving way, frequent falls, significant joint laxity.
20% -- Moderate instability
Regular instability episodes, positive Lachman test.
10% -- Slight instability
Occasional giving way, mild positive stability testing.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints
-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)
-Range of motion measurements
-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin
-Buddy statements describing limitations
-Prescription history
-Physical therapy records
-Employment impact documentation
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026