What are the VA rating percentages for PCL Tear/Injury?

PCL Tear/Injury (DC 5257) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257. Slight impairment of the knee with painful motion, or compensable limitation of flexion or extension.

What rates 10% for PCL Tear/Injury under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257 (DC 5257), a 10% rating for PCL Tear/Injury requires: Slight impairment of the knee with painful motion, or compensable limitation of flexion or extension.

What happens during a C&P exam for PCL Tear/Injury?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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PCL Tear/Injury

Q: What rates 20% for PCL Tear/Injury under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257 (DC 5257), a 20% rating for PCL Tear/Injury requires: Moderate impairment of the knee, with limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, or moderate recurrent subluxation/instability.

Q: What rates 30% for PCL Tear/Injury under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257 (DC 5257), a 30% rating for PCL Tear/Injury requires: Severe impairment of the knee, with limitation of flexion to 15 degrees or extension limited to 20 degrees, or severe recurrent subluxation/instability.

Q: What evidence do I need for a PCL Tear/Injury VA claim?

Key evidence for a PCL Tear/Injury claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 525738 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5257

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

10–30%

3 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

PCL Tear/Injury is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5257 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5257 across 3 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30%). 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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Tear of the posterior cruciate ligament causing posterior knee instability, pain, and difficulty with stairs and slopes

Rating Criteria

10%

Slight impairment of the knee with painful motion, or compensable limitation of flexion or extension.

20%

Moderate impairment of the knee, with limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, or moderate recurrent subluxation/instability.

30%

Severe impairment of the knee, with limitation of flexion to 15 degrees or extension limited to 20 degrees, or severe recurrent subluxation/instability.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

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.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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