What are the VA rating percentages for Knee Limited Extension?

Knee Limited Extension (DC 5261) is rated at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261. Extension limited to 5 degrees.

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 degrees.

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 degrees.

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 degrees.

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 degrees.

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 degrees.

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 degrees.

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.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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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 5261 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5261 | 

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 (0% / 10% / 20% / 30% / 40%…). 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

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

RATING CRITERIA (6 LEVELS)

Extension limited to 5 degrees.

10%

Extension limited to 10 degrees.

20%

Extension limited to 15 degrees.

30%

Extension limited to 20 degrees.

40%

Extension limited to 30 degrees.

50%

Extension limited to 45 degrees.

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.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

→ View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR → 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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