Knee replacement or resurfacing
The VA rates Knee replacement or resurfacing under Diagnostic Code 5055 across 3 severity levels, from 30% to 100%. The applicable level depends on the full criteria and the evidence for the condition. These percentages are alternatives, not amounts to add together. There is 1 documented secondary condition linked to Knee replacement or resurfacing.
Catalog name: Knee, resurfacing or replacement (prosthesis).
Rating schedule · DC 5055 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 30%
- Maximum rating
- 100%
- Rating tiers
- 3
- CFR section
- § 4.71a
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal System
- Secondary conditions
- 1
Lowest schedular rating available
Full schedular disability
30%, 60%, 100%
Where this code is published
Mapped in our database
What are the VA rating criteria for Knee replacement or resurfacing?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 30% | Minimum evaluation, total replacement only Note: The 30% rating is the floor for any knee replacement after the 1-year 100% period. Intermediate residuals may warrant rating by analogy to DC 5256 (ankylosis), DC 5261 (extension limitation), or DC 5262 (flexion limitation). |
| 60% | With chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity |
| 100% | For 4 months following implantation of prosthesis or resurfacing Note: A 100% rating is assigned automatically for 1 year post-implantation to allow recovery. After 1 year, the VA must schedule a mandatory examination and re-rate based on residuals. |
“With chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity”
Which conditions are commonly secondary to Knee replacement or resurfacing?
View 1 secondary condition linked to Knee replacement or resurfacing
Medical rationale, evidence strength, and filing tips, rated under 38 CFR § 3.310
What other musculoskeletal conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Knee replacement or resurfacing in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 5025Fibromyalgia (fibrositis, primary fibromyalgia syndrome)Rated up to 40%
- 5051Shoulder replacement (prosthesis).
- 5052Elbow replacement (prosthesis).
- 5053Wrist replacement (prosthesis).
- 5054Hip Replacement (Total Hip Arthroplasty)Rated up to 100%
- 5056Ankle replacement (prosthesis).Rated up to 100%
- 5131Index, long, ring and little
- 5132Thumb, index and long
- 5133Thumb, index and ring
- 5134Thumb, index and little
What to do with a Knee replacement or resurfacing rating
The tools, regulations and guides that pick up where the criteria above leave off.
Calculate
On this site
Read next
- The VA C&P Exam Explained: Before, During, and AfterA VA C&P exam helps VA decide service connection and your rating. Here is what happens before, during, and after, plus how to request your exam report.
- VA Service Connection Evidence 101: The Three-Legged StoolFor an original claim tied to active-duty service, VA needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a link between them. Here is what each part takes.
- VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really WorkVA ratings do not add. Learn how 38 CFR 4.25 combines disabilities using whole-person efficiency, why 50 and 30 round to 70, and how the bilateral factor works.
- VA Secondary Conditions Explained: Causation vs AggravationA service-connected condition can cause or worsen other conditions. Learn how 38 CFR 3.310 secondary service connection works: causation versus aggravation.
- TDIU: 100 Percent VA Pay Without a 100 Percent RatingTDIU pays the 100% VA compensation rate without a 100% rating. See the percentage paths, the extraschedular route under 38 CFR 4.16(b), and how work affects it.
- P&T vs 100% VA Disability: What Is the Difference?Permanent and total (P&T) and a 100 percent VA rating are not the same thing. Here is what total, permanent, and protected each mean, and what P&T unlocks.
Common Questions About Knee replacement or resurfacing VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Knee replacement or resurfacing?
The VA rates Knee replacement or resurfacing under Diagnostic Code 5055 at 30%, 60%, 100%. The minimum 30% rating requires: Minimum evaluation, total replacement only. The maximum 100% rating requires: For 4 months following implantation of prosthesis or resurfacing.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Knee replacement or resurfacing?
The VA rates Knee replacement or resurfacing under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5055, published in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 30% and a 100% rating for Knee replacement or resurfacing?
A 30% rating requires: Minimum evaluation, total replacement only. A 100% rating requires: For 4 months following implantation of prosthesis or resurfacing. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Knee replacement or resurfacing qualify for TDIU?
Yes, a 100% rating for Knee replacement or resurfacing alone meets the single-disability threshold for TDIU (38 CFR § 4.16). If the condition prevents substantially gainful employment, the veteran is compensated at the 100% rate without a schedular 100% rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Knee replacement or resurfacing?
The key evidence for Knee replacement or resurfacing is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. For musculoskeletal conditions, range of motion measurements (active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing per Correia v. McDonald) and flare-up documentation are critical. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
Which conditions are commonly secondary to Knee replacement or resurfacing?
Knee replacement or resurfacing is associated with 1 documented secondary condition. Secondary conditions caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability are ratable under 38 CFR § 3.310. See the secondary conditions page for the full list with medical rationale and evidence strength ratings.
What happens at the C&P exam for Knee replacement or resurfacing?
The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5055 rating criteria. Expect range of motion testing in multiple positions. Under Correia v. McDonald, the examiner must test active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing range of motion. Report your worst flare-up symptoms. If you cannot attend during a flare, request the exam be rescheduled.
Get a Personalized Rating Analysis
VeteranHQ evaluates your symptoms against the exact 38 CFR criteria, identifies secondary conditions, and shows what evidence you need to support a higher rating.
Discover Your Benefits