VASRD 5256 · Musculoskeletal System
Knee, Ankylosis VA Disability Rating
Knee is stiff or frozen in one position due to injury, arthritis, or surgery.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | The knee is fused bent at 45 degrees or more, which is the worst position the code recognises. |
| 50% | The knee is fused bent somewhere between 20 and 45 degrees. |
| 40% | The knee is fused bent slightly, between 10 and 20 degrees. |
| 30% | The knee is fused nearly straight, which is the most usable position for walking. |
How the VA Evaluates Knee, Ankylosis
Every evaluation under this code is set by the angle at which the knee is fixed, and the scale runs the opposite way to intuition: a knee fused straight (full extension, or slight flexion between 0° and 10°) rates 30 percent because it is the most usable position, while a knee fused bent at 45° or more rates 60 percent. Between those, 10°-20° of flexion rates 40 percent and 20°-45° rates 50 percent. True ankylosis — a joint that is fixed — is required; a stiff but still-moving knee is rated under the limitation-of-motion codes (5260, 5261) instead.
Approval outlook
High (~70%) when imaging confirms fixed position.
Veterans service-connected
~4,100 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~40%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •An orthopedic specialist's report confirming the ankylosis and its angle.
- •Surgical records, if the fusion was performed surgically.
Strategy Tips
- •Clarify whether the knee is surgically fused or simply severely restricted, since true ankylosis (complete fusion) is rated differently and more severely than limited range of motion.
- •Submit imaging and range-of-motion measurements together, since the specific angle of fixation is what determines the rating tier.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •A knee that appears stiff but can still bend somewhat, which may not meet the true ankylosis (complete fixation) standard this code requires.
- •Documentation of painful motion rather than actual immobility, which points to a different, less severe rating code.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Confusing significant pain with true immobility, since this code specifically requires a joint that's fixed in place, not just painful to move.
- •No imaging to verify the fixed position and its exact angle.
Onset Patterns
- •Knee ankylosis commonly follows repeated injury, severe arthritis, or a surgical fusion procedure performed to address an otherwise unmanageable joint.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Knee, Ankylosis. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Hip Pain
Altered gait
Leg Length Discrepancy
Muscle imbalance
Common questions about Knee, Ankylosis
- Is Knee, Ankylosis a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Knee, Ankylosis under VASRD diagnostic code 5256 (Musculoskeletal System). Knee is stiff or frozen in one position due to injury, arthritis, or surgery.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Knee, Ankylosis?
- Possible VA ratings for Knee, Ankylosis are 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%. Examples: 60%: The knee is fused bent at 45 degrees or more, which is the worst position the code recognises.; 50%: The knee is fused bent somewhere between 20 and 45 degrees.; 40%: The knee is fused bent slightly, between 10 and 20 degrees..
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Knee, Ankylosis?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Knee, Ankylosis at around 40%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 4,100 veterans are service-connected for Knee, Ankylosis. Estimated approval outlook: High (~70%) when imaging confirms fixed position.
- What evidence helps prove Knee, Ankylosis for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Knee, Ankylosis claim includes: An orthopedic specialist's report confirming the ankylosis and its angle.; Surgical records, if the fusion was performed surgically..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Knee, Ankylosis?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Knee, Ankylosis: Confusing significant pain with true immobility, since this code specifically requires a joint that's fixed in place, not just painful to move.; No imaging to verify the fixed position and its exact angle..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Knee, Ankylosis?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Knee, Ankylosis include: Hip Pain, Leg Length Discrepancy. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a — Schedule of ratings — musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5256)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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