EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Knee Meniscal Tear VA Disability Rating
DC 5258-5259 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a | M21-1, Part IV.ii.2
Knee Meniscal Tear VA Disability Rating is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5258-5259 of 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a across 2 severity tiers (20% -- Dislocated cartilage with locking/pain/effusion (DC 5258) / 10% -- Symptomatic removal (DC 5259)). 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
Dislocated semilunar cartilage (meniscal tear) is rated under DC 5258 at a maximum 20% for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. Removal of semilunar cartilage (meniscectomy) is rated under DC 5259 at a maximum 10%.
RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)
20% -- Dislocated cartilage with locking/pain/effusion (DC 5258)
Frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.
10% -- Symptomatic removal (DC 5259)
Symptomatic after meniscectomy.
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