What are the VA rating percentages for Knee Limited Extension?

Knee Limited Extension (DC 5261) is rated at 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261. Extension limited to 45°

What rates 50% for Knee Limited Extension under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261 (DC 5261), a 50% rating for Knee Limited Extension requires: Extension limited to 45°

What rates 40% for Knee Limited Extension under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261 (DC 5261), a 40% rating for Knee Limited Extension requires: Extension limited to 30°

What rates 30% for Knee Limited Extension under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261 (DC 5261), a 30% rating for Knee Limited Extension requires: Extension limited to 20°

What rates 20% for Knee Limited Extension under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261 (DC 5261), a 20% rating for Knee Limited Extension requires: Extension limited to 15°

What rates 10% for Knee Limited Extension under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261 (DC 5261), a 10% rating for Knee Limited Extension requires: Extension limited to 10°

What rates 0% for Knee Limited Extension under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261 (DC 5261), a 0% rating for Knee Limited Extension requires: Extension limited to 5°

What happens during a C&P exam for Knee Limited Extension?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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CLAIM RECON INTEL

Knee Limited Extension

Q: What evidence do I need for a Knee Limited Extension VA claim?

Key evidence for a Knee Limited Extension claim includes: 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. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 526138 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5261

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–50%

6 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Knee Limited Extension is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5261 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261 across 6 severity tiers (50% / 40% / 30% / 20% / 10%…). 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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Limited ability to fully straighten (extend) the knee, causing a flexion contracture that impairs walking and standing

Rating Criteria

50%

Extension limited to 45°

40%

Extension limited to 30°

30%

Extension limited to 20°

20%

Extension limited to 15°

10%

Extension limited to 10°

Extension limited to 5°

Key Evidence

—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

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a (Musculoskeletal system). Source verified 2026-06-04 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.71a on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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