Musculoskeletal

Knee Condition C&P Exam Guide

Associated DBQ Form: DBQ Knee and Lower Leg

What to Expect During Your Exam

The knee C&P exam typically takes 30-45 minutes and involves both discussion and physical examination.

The exam includes:
1. Review of your injury history
2. Range of motion testing (flexion and extension)
3. Stability testing (ligament tests)
4. Assessment of any instability or locking
5. Review of imaging studies

Questions the Examiner May Ask

  • 1 How did you injure your knee?
  • 2 When did this happen during service?
  • 3 Which knee is affected (or both)?
  • 4 Do you have pain, swelling, or stiffness?
  • 5 Does your knee give way or feel unstable?
  • 6 Does your knee lock up?
  • 7 Can you fully bend and straighten your knee?
  • 8 Do you have difficulty with stairs, kneeling, or squatting?
  • 9 Have you had any knee surgeries?
  • 10 Do you use a brace or other assistive device?

Documentation to Bring

  • Service treatment records documenting knee injury
  • Current imaging (X-rays, MRI)
  • Surgical records if applicable
  • Physical therapy records
  • Records of any injections or treatments
  • Documentation of assistive devices (brace, cane)

How to Prepare

Before your exam:

1. **Know your injury history** - Be specific about when and how the injury occurred

2. **Document instability** - Does your knee give way? How often?

3. **Track flare-ups** - When does pain increase? What triggers it?

4. **Note functional limitations** - Stairs, squatting, kneeling, prolonged standing

5. **Bring your brace** - If you use one, wear it or bring it to show the examiner

Helpful Tips

- During range of motion testing, stop when you feel pain - don't push through
- Mention if pain increases with repetitive movement
- Report instability honestly - the examiner will test this
- Describe grinding, popping, or locking sensations
- Mention swelling, especially after activity
- Describe activities you can no longer do
- If you had surgery, explain what was done and current symptoms
- Both knees can be rated separately if both are service-connected

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Claiming instability when physical tests show stable knee
- Full range of motion but claiming inability to bend knee
- No documented in-service knee problems
- Wearing a brace but never documented as needing one

How VA Rates This Condition

Knee conditions can be rated under several diagnostic codes:

**Limitation of Flexion (DC 5260):**
- 0%: Flexion limited to 60°
- 10%: Flexion limited to 45°
- 20%: Flexion limited to 30°
- 30%: Flexion limited to 15°

**Limitation of Extension (DC 5261):**
- 0%: Extension limited to 5°
- 10%: Extension limited to 10°
- 20%: Extension limited to 15°
- 30%: Extension limited to 20°
- 40%: Extension limited to 30°
- 50%: Extension limited to 45°

**Instability (DC 5257):**
- 10%: Slight instability
- 20%: Moderate instability
- 30%: Severe instability

**Note:** Limitation of motion and instability can be rated separately for the same knee ("separate ratings").