Leg, limitation of flexion of — VA Diagnostic Code 5260

Flexion limited to

Each DC 5260 line uses those words plus a degree: 15, 30, 45, or 60. The schedule does not define flexion in a sentence under this code.

How the knee is measured

38 CFR § 4.46 (Accurate measurement) says the use of a goniometer in the measurement of limitation of motion is indispensable in examinations conducted within the Department of Veterans Affairs. 38 CFR § 4.59 (Painful motion) says the joints involved should be tested for pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing and, if possible, with the range of the opposite undamaged joint. The same section says the intent is to recognize actually painful, unstable, or malaligned joints, due to healed injury, as entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint. 38 CFR § 4.40 (Functional loss) says functional loss may be due to pain, supported by adequate pathology and evidenced by the visible behavior of the claimant undertaking the motion, and that weakness is as important as limitation of motion. 38 CFR § 4.45 (The joints) directs inquiry to less movement than normal, more movement than normal, weakened movement, excess fatigability, incoordination, and pain on movement, swelling, deformity, or atrophy of disuse. For arthritis, it names the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle as major joints. 38 CFR § 4.71 says Plates I and II provide a standardized description of ankylosis and joint motion measurement. This page does not retype the plates.

Extension is a different code

DC 5261 is “Leg, limitation of extension of.” Its lines start at extension limited to 45 degrees, 50 percent, and include extension limited to 10 degrees, 10 percent, and extension limited to 5 degrees, 0 percent. VA General Counsel Precedent Opinion VAOPGCPREC 9-2004 (September 17, 2004), published on VA.gov, holds: “Separate ratings under DC 5260 (leg, limitation of flexion) and DC 5261 (leg, limitation of extension), both currently codified at 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, may be assigned for disability of the same joint.” 38 CFR § 4.14 still says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided. The opinion and the regulation are both in the record a rater uses. This page does not apply them to a particular knee.

Other knee and leg codes

What is the VA rating for limitation of flexion of the leg?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5260, flexion limited to 15 degrees is 30 percent, to 30 degrees is 20 percent, to 45 degrees is 10 percent, and to 60 degrees is 0 percent. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Can flexion and extension of the same knee each have a rating?

VAOPGCPREC 9-2004 holds that separate ratings under DC 5260 and DC 5261 may be assigned for disability of the same joint. Section 4.14 says not to evaluate the same disability twice. Whether both codes apply depends on the measurements in the record.

How does VA rate limitation of knee flexion under DC 5260?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, flexion limited to 15 degrees is 30 percent, flexion limited to 30 degrees is 20 percent, flexion limited to 45 degrees is 10 percent, and flexion limited to 60 degrees is 0 percent. Education only.

Is extension rated under the same code?

Extension is DC 5261. VAOPGCPREC 9-2004 holds that separate ratings under DC 5260 and DC 5261 may be assigned for disability of the same joint. Section 4.14 still prohibits evaluating the same disability under various diagnoses.

What does the examination measure?

Section 4.46 says a goniometer is indispensable for limitation of motion in a VA examination. Section 4.59 says to test pain on active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing, and, if possible, with the opposite undamaged joint.

Where does the 2,069,942 figure come from?

The Veterans Benefits Administration Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Benefits Report lists “Limitation of flexion, knee” with 2,069,942 among the most prevalent service-connected disabilities of all compensation recipients. That count is not a rating.