EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Meniscus Tear
DC 5259 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5259 |
Meniscus Tear is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5259 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5259 across 3 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30%). 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
Tear of the medial or lateral meniscus cartilage in the knee, often requiring arthroscopic surgery and causing chronic symptoms
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
10%
Slight impairment of the knee with painful motion, or compensable limitation of flexion or extension.
20%
Moderate impairment of the knee, with limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, or moderate recurrent subluxation/instability.
30%
Severe impairment of the knee, with limitation of flexion to 15 degrees or extension limited to 20 degrees, or severe recurrent subluxation/instability.
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