★ Musculoskeletal
Knee Arthritis VA Rating (DC 5003 / 5010)
38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Codes 5003 and 5010; 38 CFR § 4.59
Overview
DC 5003 covers degenerative arthritis established by X-ray; DC 5010 covers traumatic arthritis and directs that it be rated as degenerative arthritis.
The knee is a major joint under 38 CFR § 4.45, so the DC 5003 rules for major joints apply.
Where limitation of motion is compensable under DC 5260 or 5261, the motion code is used instead — rating both for the same motion loss would be pyramiding under § 4.14.
Where X-rays confirm arthritis but motion loss is non-compensable, DC 5003 provides 10% for the affected major joint, with 20% available where there is X-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints or two or more minor joint groups with occasional incapacitating exacerbations.
How to Establish Service Connection
- Direct: in-service knee injury or chronic knee complaints, with arthritis developing over time in the same knee.
- Presumptive: arthritis is a chronic disease under 38 CFR § 3.309(a), so manifestation to a compensable degree within one year of separation may be considered under § 3.307.
- Secondary under 38 CFR § 3.310: post-traumatic arthritis after a service-connected meniscal tear, ligament injury, or meniscectomy, or arthritis in the opposite knee from long-standing altered gait.
Rating Criteria
Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Codes 5003 and 5010; 38 CFR § 4.59
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | X-ray evidence of arthritis in the knee with limitation of motion that is non-compensable under DC 5260/5261, or painful motion under 38 CFR § 4.59. |
| 20% | X-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints or two or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. |
| Higher | Where motion loss is compensable, the knee is evaluated under DC 5260 (flexion) and/or DC 5261 (extension) at the level those codes provide. |
See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →
Evidence Checklist
- X-ray or MRI reports stating degenerative or post-traumatic change, joint-space narrowing, or osteophytes.
- Goniometer measurements documenting flexion and extension separately.
- Records of injections, bracing, or activity restriction.
- For the one-year presumptive route, treatment records from the first year after separation.
Common Secondary Conditions
Conditions frequently service-connected as secondary to Knee Arthritis:
What the C&P Exam Documents
General information about how this condition is typically evaluated. This is not coaching on what to say and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice.
- →Imaging is central to DC 5003 — if there is no X-ray in the file, the arthritis element is unproven on the record even when the veteran has the diagnosis elsewhere.
- →Arthritis symptoms fluctuate; the examination captures one day, so treatment records across a year carry weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Tools & Topics
Have a Knee Arthritis claim or denial?
Four fields. A VA-accredited claims agent reviews it and responds within 3–5 business days. Contingent fees apply only to awarded past-due benefits on appeals — never on initial claims.
Requesting a consultation does not create representation and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Representation begins only after a written fee agreement and VA Form 21-22a are signed.
Educational content only — not legal advice and not medical advice. Rating criteria on this page are summarized in plain English from 38 CFR Part 4; consult VA.gov or the current Code of Federal Regulations for official criteria. This page provides general education about how the VA rates this condition; it is not individualized advice, does not establish a representation relationship, and should not be used to self-diagnose, self-treat, or decide a course of action without speaking to a qualified clinician and a VA-accredited representative. Outcomes depend on each veteran's individual facts, evidence, and the adjudicator's judgment; no specific rating, effective date, or other result is guaranteed. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Related Conditions
Knee Conditions
Limitation of flexion/extension, instability, and meniscus ratings.
Degenerative Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
X-ray confirmed arthritis rated under DC 5003 with limitation of motion analysis.
Knee Meniscal Tear (Cartilage Injury)
Dislocated or removed semilunar cartilage rated under DC 5258 (20%) or DC 5259 (10%) — often combined with limitation of motion ratings.
Total Knee Replacement
100% for one year after implantation, then a minimum 30% based on residuals under DC 5055.