EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Leg Amputation Above Knee
DC 5161 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5161 |
Leg Amputation Above Knee is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5161 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5161 across 4 severity tiers (100% / 90% / 80% / 60%). 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
Amputation of the leg above the knee (transfemoral), requiring prosthetic use and causing major mobility and balance impairment
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
100%
DC 5160 verbatim — Trans-pelvic amputation (involving complete removal of the femur and intrinsic pelvic musculature along with any portion of the pelvic bones): 100 percent. Footnote 2: also entitled to SMC under 38 CFR § 3.350.
90%
DC 5160 verbatim — Disarticulation (involving complete removal of the femur and intrinsic pelvic musculature only): 90 percent. Footnote 2 SMC entitled.
80%
DC 5161 verbatim — Thigh amputation, Upper third (one-third of the distance from perineum to knee joint measured from perineum): 80 percent. Footnote 2 SMC entitled.
60%
DC 5162-5164 verbatim — THREE pathways yield 60%: (a) DC 5162 Thigh amputation, Middle or lower thirds. (b) DC 5163 Leg amputation with defective stump, thigh amputation recommended. (c) DC 5164 Leg amputation not improvable by prosthesis controlled by natural knee action. Footnote 2 SMC entitled for all three.
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.
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026