VASRD 5259 · Musculoskeletal System
Removal of semilunar cartilage VA Disability Rating
Residual symptoms after removal of the semilunar cartilage — the meniscus — of the knee, whether the surgery was a partial or total meniscectomy. The code pays a single 10 percent evaluation, and it turns on the knee still being symptomatic after the operation, not on the operation itself.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | The meniscus was taken out and the knee still causes symptoms. |
How the VA Evaluates Removal of semilunar cartilage
The rating requires evidence of persistent symptoms after the surgery - pain, locking, or instability that continues despite the meniscus already having been removed.
Approval outlook
78%
Veterans service-connected
~14,321 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~10%
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 exam documenting current, ongoing knee symptoms.
- •An MRI report showing the joint's current condition post-surgery.
- •Surgical history establishing when and why the meniscus was removed.
Strategy Tips
- •Include your surgical report alongside an ongoing symptom log, since the claim depends on showing symptoms persist after the surgery, not just that surgery occurred.
- •Get updated imaging to confirm any ongoing degeneration in the joint, since removing the meniscus can accelerate arthritis in the knee over time.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Failure to describe instability or recurrent pain specifically tied to the post-surgical state, rather than describing the knee generally.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Lack of surgical documentation establishing that the meniscus was in fact removed.
- •No current symptoms listed, since a successful surgery without ongoing symptoms typically doesn't support a compensable rating under this code.
Onset Patterns
- •This condition follows meniscus removal surgery, and symptoms can either persist directly after surgery or develop later as recurrent knee trauma or degeneration progresses in the meniscus-free joint.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Removal of semilunar cartilage. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common Among These Military Jobs
Military occupational specialties (MOS) where Removal of semilunar cartilage is frequently claimed.
Common questions about Removal of semilunar cartilage
- Is Removal of semilunar cartilage a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Removal of semilunar cartilage under VASRD diagnostic code 5259 (Musculoskeletal System). Residual symptoms after removal of the semilunar cartilage — the meniscus — of the knee, whether the surgery was a partial or total meniscectomy. The code pays a single 10 percent evaluation, and it turns on the…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Removal of semilunar cartilage?
- Possible VA ratings for Removal of semilunar cartilage are 10%. Examples: 10%: The meniscus was taken out and the knee still causes symptoms..
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Removal of semilunar cartilage?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Removal of semilunar cartilage at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 14,321 veterans are service-connected for Removal of semilunar cartilage. Estimated approval outlook: 78%.
- What evidence helps prove Removal of semilunar cartilage for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Removal of semilunar cartilage claim includes: An orthopedic exam documenting current, ongoing knee symptoms.; An MRI report showing the joint's current condition post-surgery.; Surgical history establishing when and why the meniscus was removed..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Removal of semilunar cartilage?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Removal of semilunar cartilage: Lack of surgical documentation establishing that the meniscus was in fact removed.; No current symptoms listed, since a successful surgery without ongoing symptoms typically doesn't support a compensable rating under this code..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Removal of semilunar cartilage?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Removal of semilunar cartilage include: Knee Instability, Osteoarthritis. 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 5259)
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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