Diagnostic Code 5260: Knee. Limitation of Flexion Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Rating range
- 0% to 30%
- Rating levels
- 4
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal system
The VA rates Knee. Limitation of Flexion under diagnostic code 5260 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 5260 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Flexion limited to 60 degrees What raters look forflexion limited to 60 degrees |
| 10% | Flexion limited to 45 degrees What raters look forflexion limited to 45 degrees |
| 20% | Flexion limited to 30 degrees What raters look forflexion limited to 30 degrees |
| 30% | Flexion limited to 15 degrees What raters look forflexion limited to 15 degrees |
DC 5260 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 9,556 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 5260 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 15.6%, denied 72.9% and sent 11.5% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
| What the appeal asked for | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| A higher rating | 9,409 | 14.6% |
| A rating VA reduced | 143 | 82.5% |
By the rating the Board's order named
Only orders that state a rating percentage with a date are counted. An order denying a rating "in excess of 50 percent" names the existing rating; a grant may name the rating awarded. These are not all ratings veterans requested.
| Rating the order named | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | 1,197 | 21.1% |
| 20 percent | 365 | 54.2% |
| 30 percent | 175 | 70.9% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 5260 rulings
Percentages use all 1,096 rating rulings under this code the Board remanded, 2021 to 2026. Some rulings have no recorded exam classification, and small categories are not shown, so these rows need not total 100 percent.
- The VA exam or opinion was not adequate79.1%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened11.1%
- No exam problem recorded8.8%
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 5260 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Knee. The Knee condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Knee appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 107,856 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Knee, 2021 to 2026. The Knee condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Knee appeals generally rather than DC 5260 specifically. The DC 5260 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 5260?
Diagnostic code 5260 is the VA rating schedule entry for Knee. Limitation of Flexion, found in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 5260?
DC 5260 provides ratings of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 5260 require?
The 30% rating for Knee. Limitation of Flexion requires: Flexion limited to 15 degrees.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 5260?
In 9,409 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 5260 from 2021 to 2026, 14.6% were granted, 73.8% denied and 11.6% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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