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Knee Meniscal Tear VA Disability Rating is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5258-5259 of 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a across 2 severity tiers (20% -- Dislocated cartilage with locking/pain/effusion (DC 5258) / 10% -- Symptomatic removal (DC 5259)). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.
Dislocated semilunar cartilage (meniscal tear) is rated under DC 5258 at a maximum 20% for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. Removal of semilunar cartilage (meniscectomy) is rated under DC 5259 at a maximum 10%.
Knee Meniscal Tear (DC 5258-5259) is evaluated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a using the knee rating framework. Because it is rated by analogy to the general schedule, the 2 levels below describe the body-system criteria the VA applies — the percentage assigned to Knee Meniscal Tear depends on the specific findings (range of motion, frequency, severity, or functional loss) documented at the C&P exam and in the medical record.
Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.