Severe knee stiffness in which the joint is fixed or has very limited movement.
The key evidence for this condition is documentation showing that your knee is permanently fixed and at what angle it is locked. A VA examination or private orthopedic evaluation that measures and records the exact angle of ankylosis is the most direct form of evidence. Goniometer readings taken during a range-of-motion exam are particularly useful because the rating criteria turn on precise degree measurements.
Imaging such as X-rays can help confirm structural changes consistent with ankylosis. Surgical records, treatment notes, and prior examination reports that consistently show a fixed angle over time support the finding that the stiffness is permanent rather than temporary.
Statements from you or people who know you describing how the fixed knee affects your ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, or perform work duties can help show the real-world impact of the angle at which your knee is locked. These statements are most useful when they connect specific activities to the position of your knee, since each rating level corresponds to a different degree of flexion.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
