The exam form
The examiner fills out VA's "Knee and Lower Leg" form (a Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ). See the form on VA.gov
Form version checked: Updated on 2026-07-31 (v26_1).
What the exam is for
The exam records your knee or lower leg diagnosis and how much it limits you: bending and straightening, pain, flare-ups, instability, locking or swelling, and any surgery.
What the examiner will ask and measure
- Your diagnosis for each knee, and how the problem started and changed.
- Flare-ups: how often, how long, what sets them off, what helps, and what you can't do.
- Functional loss in your own words.
- Instability: whether your knee gives way or slips out of place, described in your own words.
- Swelling that comes back often.
- Range of motion with a measuring tool: bending and straightening each knee. The examiner notes where pain starts. VA asks examiners to test your other knee too.
- Repeated motion (at least three times), and estimates of how far you could bend during a flare-up or after repeated use over time.
- Muscle loss around the knee, measured with a tape.
- Stability questions: ligament tears and repairs, and whether a medical provider prescribed a cane, crutches, a walker or a brace for walking.
- Meniscus problems: locking, pain and swelling.
- Shin splints: how long they've been treated and whether treatment helped.
- Surgeries, such as a knee replacement or meniscus removal, and what's left afterward.
- Imaging and how your knee affects work tasks like standing, walking and lifting.
Be ready to describe
- When and how the knee problem started in service.
- How often your knee gives way, locks or swells, and what happens when it does.
- Flare-ups and your worst days.
- Any brace, cane, crutches or walker, and whether a provider prescribed it. Bring the device if you use it.
- Surgeries and their dates.
- How far you can walk, whether you can kneel, squat or use stairs, and how your knee affects work and chores.
Common mistakes
- Pushing past pain during the motion test, or stopping short of what you can do. Move as far as you normally can, and say when pain starts.
- Not mentioning that your knee gives way, because it isn't happening in the exam room.
- Not mentioning a brace or cane a provider prescribed. The form asks about it.
How VA rates it
VA can rate several things about a knee. Limited bending and limited straightening are each measured in degrees, counting where pain limits you. Instability is rated based on ligament tears and whether a provider prescribed a brace or a walking aid. Meniscus problems have their own criteria. VA changed its rules for knees in 2021. Knee replacement and arthritis have their own codes in the Rating Criteria Lookup.
In plain English
- Bending (flexion): 0% if bending is limited to 60 degrees; 10% limited to 45 degrees; 20% limited to 30 degrees; 30% limited to 15 degrees.
- Straightening (extension): 0% if you can't straighten the last 5 degrees; 10% the last 10 degrees; 20% the last 15 degrees; 30% the last 20 degrees; 40% the last 30 degrees; 50% the last 45 degrees.
- Knee instability, 10%: a sprain or ligament tear causing instability that doesn't go away, with no prescription for a brace, cane, crutches or walker.
- Knee instability, 20%: a sprain, partial tear or repaired full tear causing ongoing instability, with a prescribed brace or walking aid; or an unrepaired or failed full tear causing ongoing instability, with either a prescribed walking aid or a prescribed brace.
- Knee instability, 30%: an unrepaired or failed full ligament tear causing ongoing instability, with both a prescribed walking aid (cane, crutches or walker) and a prescribed brace.
- Kneecap instability: 10% if it keeps slipping, with no prescription for a brace, cane or walker; 20% if it keeps slipping after surgery to repair it, with one prescribed (a brace, cane or walker); 30% if it keeps slipping after surgery, with a prescribed brace and either a cane or a walker.
- Meniscus: 20% for torn cartilage that's out of place, with frequent locking, pain and swelling; 10% for cartilage that was removed and still causes symptoms.
The regulation, word for word
Quoted from 38 CFR Part 4 (current as of October 16, 2026). This is what VA applies. The plain-English version above is our summary of it.
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|
| 5260 Leg, limitation of flexion of: | |
| Flexion limited to 15° | 30 |
| Flexion limited to 30° | 20 |
| Flexion limited to 45° | 10 |
| Flexion limited to 60° | 0 |
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|
| 5261 Leg, limitation of extension of: | |
| Extension limited to 45° | 50 |
| Extension limited to 30° | 40 |
| Extension limited to 20° | 30 |
| Extension limited to 15° | 20 |
| Extension limited to 10° | 10 |
| Extension limited to 5° | 0 |
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|
| 5257 Knee, other impairment of: | |
| 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 |
| 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 (e.g., cane(s), crutch(es), walker) for ambulation. | |
| (b) Unrepaired or failed repair of complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, and a medical provider prescribes either an assistive device (e.g., cane(s), crutch(es), walker) or bracing for ambulation | 20 |
| 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 (e.g., cane(s), crutch(es), walker) or bracing for ambulation | 10 |
| Patellar instability: | |
| A diagnosed condition involving the patellofemoral complex with recurrent instability after surgical repair that requires a prescription by a medical provider for a brace and either a cane or a walker | 30 |
| A diagnosed condition involving the patellofemoral complex with recurrent instability after surgical repair that requires a prescription by a medical provider for one of the following: A brace, cane, or walker | 20 |
| A diagnosed condition involving the patellofemoral complex with recurrent instability (with or without history of surgical repair) that does not require a prescription from a medical provider for a brace, cane, or walker | 10 |
| Note (1): For patellar instability, the patellofemoral complex consists of the quadriceps tendon, the patella, and the patellar tendon. | |
| Note (2): A surgical procedure that does not involve repair of one or more patellofemoral components that contribute to the underlying instability shall not qualify as surgical repair for patellar instability (including, but not limited to, arthroscopy to remove loose bodies and joint aspiration). | |
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5258: Cartilage, semilunar, dislocated, with frequent episodes of “locking,” pain, and effusion into the joint Open in the Rating Criteria Lookup
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|
| 5258 Cartilage, semilunar, dislocated, with frequent episodes of “locking,” pain, and effusion into the joint | 20 |
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5259: Cartilage, semilunar, removal of, symptomatic Open in the Rating Criteria Lookup
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|
| 5259 Cartilage, semilunar, removal of, symptomatic | 10 |
Related
About every C&P exam
What is it?
After you file a claim, VA may ask you to have a claim exam, also called a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. It helps VA decide whether your condition is connected to your service, and how severe it is. It isn't treatment: the examiner won't treat you, prescribe medicine or refer you to anyone.
Who does it?
A VA provider or a provider from one of VA's exam contractors (Loyal Source, OptumServe, QTC or VES). VA picks; you can't choose. Hearing, mental health, eye and dental exams are done by specialists. For a reproductive, breast, rectal or mental health exam, or a claim related to military sexual trauma, you can ask for a male or female examiner.
How long does it take?
VA says anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more, depending on what you claimed. Some exams are by phone or video. If you claimed more than one condition, VA tries to schedule them on the same day.
Does the examiner decide my claim?
No. The examiner writes a report on a standard form (a Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ) and sends it to VA. VA decides your claim using all the evidence: the report, your medical and service records, and statements from you and others. The examiner can't tell you the results or answer questions about your claim.
Does everyone get one?
No. If your records already have what VA needs, VA can decide from the records alone (VA calls this Acceptable Clinical Evidence, or ACE).
What if I can't make it?
Call the number on your appointment letter at least 48 hours ahead to reschedule. Missing an exam delays your claim. VA may decide your claim on the evidence it already has, and some claims, such as a claim for an increase, are denied (38 CFR 3.655). If you had a good reason, such as being in the hospital or a death in your family, tell VA and ask for a new exam.
What should I bring?
VA says you don't need to bring anything. Send any new medical records to VA before the exam, because the examiner can't send them in for you. Arrive 15 minutes early and wear clothes you can move in. Many veterans find it helps to bring a short list of their symptoms, medicines and side effects, and key dates, so nothing is forgotten.
Can someone come with me?
You can ask the examiner. They may ask family members or caregivers to wait outside. For a sensitive physical exam, you can ask for a chaperone in the room.
Can I get a copy of the report?
Yes. Ask VA with a Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act request (VA Form 20-10206). VetEZ Claim can help you fill it out and send it.
Can my own doctor fill out the form instead?
For many conditions, yes. VA publishes the exam forms (DBQs) your own doctor can fill out and you can send in. VA doesn't pay for this. A few exam forms are for VA's own examiners.
Checked against VA's forms and rules on October 16, 2026. General information only, not medical or legal advice about your claim. VA decides every claim.
