VASRD 5059 · Musculoskeletal System

Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) VA Disability Rating

Condition requiring full knee joint replacement due to injury or arthritis.

VA Rating Tiers

RatingCriteria
100%You had a knee replacement and can't move well due to pain and weakness.
60%Your replaced knee still causes pain and limits your motion.
30%Knee replacement healed mostly well, with minor pain.

How the VA Evaluates Knee Replacement (Prosthesis)

Must have surgical proof and current VA exam showing residual limitations.

Approval rate

High – especially when mobility and pain are well documented.

Annual service-connected

28,500 veterans

Average rating

60%

Best Evidence to Gather

  • •Surgical knee replacement records
  • •Range of motion test results
  • •Pain medication history or PT records

Strategy Tips

  • •Explain how symptoms affect walking, stairs, or work
  • •Use recent X-rays or PT evaluations
  • •Document frequency and severity of pain

C&P Exam Pitfalls

  • •Undocumented flare-ups or stiffness
  • •Not bringing assistive devices to exam

Common Filing Mistakes

  • •Failure to show ongoing disability after replacement
  • •Lack of supporting surgical or PT documentation

Onset Patterns

  • •Worsening joint degeneration before surgery
  • •Residual pain or motion limits may persist long after recovery

Secondary Conditions

Conditions commonly linked to Knee Replacement (Prosthesis). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.

  • Hip Pain

    Altered gait after knee replacement can affect hips

  • Sleep Disturbance

    Chronic knee pain can disrupt sleep

Common questions about Knee Replacement (Prosthesis)

Is Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) under VASRD diagnostic code 5059 (Musculoskeletal System). Condition requiring full knee joint replacement due to injury or arthritis.
What VA disability rating can I get for Knee Replacement (Prosthesis)?
Possible VA ratings for Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) are 100%, 60%, 30%. Examples: 100% — You had a knee replacement and can't move well due to pain and weakness.; 60% — Your replaced knee still causes pain and limits your motion.; 30% — Knee replacement healed mostly well, with minor pain..
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Knee Replacement (Prosthesis)?
The average awarded rating for Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) is 60%. Roughly 28,500 veterans are service-connected for Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) each year. Typical approval likelihood: High – especially when mobility and pain are well documented..
What evidence helps prove Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) claim includes: Surgical knee replacement records; Range of motion test results; Pain medication history or PT records.
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Knee Replacement (Prosthesis)?
Common pitfalls when filing for Knee Replacement (Prosthesis): Failure to show ongoing disability after replacement; Lack of supporting surgical or PT documentation.
What conditions are commonly secondary to Knee Replacement (Prosthesis)?
Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) include: Hip Pain, Sleep Disturbance. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.

Estimate your combined rating

See how Knee Replacement (Prosthesis) combines with your other service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.

Open the calculator