Knee and Leg (DC 5256–5263)

The knee is one of the few joints where multiple separate ratings are routinely combined: limitation of flexion (5260), limitation of extension (5261), instability (5257), and arthritis (5003) can all apply to the same knee at once, when each is separately documented.

Common Filing Mistake

This is one of the most common under-claimed joints. Veterans (and even raters) sometimes assign only one rating, such as instability, when the knee also has documented limitation of motion and/or arthritis that could be separately rated and combined for a meaningfully higher overall percentage. If your knee has more than one problem (it gives out, AND it doesn't bend all the way, AND it's arthritic), each deserves its own claim.

Diagnostic Codes

DC 5256Knee, ankylosis of
DC 5257Knee, other impairment of (subluxation/instability)
DC 5258Cartilage, semilunar, dislocated
DC 5259Cartilage, semilunar, removal of, symptomatic
DC 5260Leg, limitation of flexion of
DC 5261Leg, limitation of extension of
DC 5262Tibia and fibula, impairment of
DC 5263Genu recurvatum

Rating Criteria

Rating	Criteria
60%	DC 5256 — Ankylosis, extremely unfavorable: flexion angle of 45° or more
50%	DC 5256 — Ankylosis, flexion between 20°–45°
40%	DC 5256 — Ankylosis, flexion between 10°–20°
30%	DC 5256 — Ankylosis, favorable, full extension or slight flexion 0°–10°; or DC 5260 — flexion limited to 15°
20%	DC 5258 — Dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent locking, pain, and effusion; or DC 5260 — flexion limited to 30°
10%	DC 5259 — Symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage; or DC 5260 — flexion limited to 45°; or DC 5263 — genu recurvatum
30 / 20 / 10%	DC 5257 — Recurrent subluxation or lateral instability: severe / moderate / slight
50%	DC 5261 — Extension limited to 45°
40%	DC 5261 — Extension limited to 30°; or DC 5262 — nonunion of tibia/fibula with loose motion, requiring brace
30 / 20 / 10%	DC 5261 — Extension limited to 20° / 15° / 10°; or DC 5262 — malunion with marked / moderate / slight knee or ankle disability

Special Rules

Instability (5257), limitation of flexion (5260), limitation of extension (5261), and arthritis (5003) can all be separately rated and combined for a single knee when each is independently documented, this does not violate the anti-pyramiding rule since each addresses a distinct impairment.
The painful motion rule (38 CFR § 4.59) can support a minimum compensable rating even with technically normal range of motion, if pain during motion is documented.

Sourced from 38 CFR §§ 4.71a / 4.130. This is a reference aid, not a rating decision, your actual rating depends on the medical evidence in your specific case and your C&P exam findings. Rules can be amended, verify current text at eCFR.gov or with an accredited VSO before relying on this for a specific claim.