EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Posterolateral Corner Injury (Knee)
DC 5257 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257 |
Posterolateral Corner Injury (Knee) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5257 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257 across 4 severity tiers (30% / 20% / 10% / 0%). 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
Injury to the posterolateral ligament complex of the knee causing rotational instability and varus laxity during weight-bearing
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
30%
DC 5257 verbatim — "Recurrent subluxation or instability: Unrepaired or failed repair of complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, AND a medical provider prescribes BOTH an assistive device (e.g., cane(s), crutch(es), walker) AND bracing for ambulation" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5257.) Severe PLC with multidirectional instability requiring dual support.
20%
DC 5257 verbatim — "One of the following: (a) Sprain, incomplete ligament tear, or repaired complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, AND a medical provider prescribes a brace AND/OR assistive device for ambulation. (b) Unrepaired or failed repair of complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, AND a medical provider prescribes EITHER an assistive device OR bracing for ambulation" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5257.)
10%
DC 5257 verbatim — "Sprain, incomplete ligament tear, or complete ligament tear (repaired, unrepaired, or failed repair) causing persistent instability, WITHOUT a prescription from a medical provider for an assistive device or bracing for ambulation" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5257.) Documented instability without prescribed support.
0%
PLC injury (imaging or arthroscopic confirmation) without persistent instability findings AND without prescribed support. Rare for symptomatic PLC injury to reach this tier — most warrant at least 10%.
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