★ Musculoskeletal
Patellar Tendonitis VA Rating (DC 5024)
38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Codes 5024 and 5003; 38 CFR § 4.59
Overview
Patellar tendonitis, sometimes called jumper's knee, is inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin.
DC 5024 lists tenosynovitis and directs rating as degenerative arthritis under DC 5003, which rates on limitation of motion of the affected part.
Because tendonitis often produces pain without dramatic motion loss, 38 CFR §§ 4.40, 4.45, and 4.59 usually do the work in these evaluations.
Chronic tendinopathy can progress to partial or complete tendon rupture, which changes the evidence picture entirely.
How to Establish Service Connection
- Direct: repetitive jumping, running, ruck marching, or climbing duty with in-service knee complaints, profiles, or physical-therapy referrals.
- Continuity of symptomatology from service to the present, documented in treatment records.
- Secondary under 38 CFR § 3.310: tendonitis from altered mechanics caused by a service-connected foot, ankle, hip, or opposite-knee condition.
Rating Criteria
Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Codes 5024 and 5003; 38 CFR § 4.59
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Limitation of motion that is non-compensable under the knee motion codes, with objective findings, 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 (DC 5003 route). |
| Higher | Where flexion or extension is compensably limited, DC 5260 or DC 5261 applies at the level those codes provide. |
See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →
Evidence Checklist
- Clinical notes recording tenderness at the patellar tendon, pain with resisted extension, and treatment such as injections or bracing.
- Ultrasound or MRI showing tendinosis, thickening, or partial tearing.
- Physical-therapy records documenting functional limits with stairs, squatting, and kneeling.
- A symptom and activity log covering flare-ups, useful under the Sharp requirement.
Common Secondary Conditions
Conditions frequently service-connected as secondary to Patellar Tendonitis:
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.
- →Ask that the examiner record where in the arc of motion pain begins, not only the endpoint measurement.
- →Repetitive-use testing and flare-up estimates are required elements of a complete knee examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Tools & Topics
Have a Patellar Tendonitis 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.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)
Anterior knee pain rated under DC 5260/5261 by limitation of flexion/extension and DeLuca functional loss factors.
Bursitis
Rated based on limitation of motion of the affected part (DC 5019).
Knee Arthritis (Degenerative / Traumatic)
X-ray confirmed knee arthritis rated under DC 5003/5010 when motion loss is non-compensable.