Patellofemoral Syndrome — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Patellofemoral Syndrome
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960M-9 (Knee and Lower Leg Conditions) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Patellofemoral Syndrome — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Patellofemoral Syndrome, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Musculoskeletal
General rating schedule for musculoskeletalconditions. Your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Painful motion or limitation of motion that is compensable
Moderate limitation of motion or functional impairment
Severe limitation of motion or significant functional loss
Unfavorable ankylosis or severe impairment
Extremely unfavorable ankylosis
Will adding Patellofemoral Syndrome raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Patellofemoral Syndrome claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
PLoS One, 2018 · PMID 29324820
Finding: Across 23 studies, incidence of patellofemoral pain in military recruits ranged from 9.7 to 571.4 per 1,000 person-years, with one study reporting a point prevalence of 13.5% within military populations. The review noted high disability levels and a poor long-term prognosis.
Why it helps: Supports an association between military training environments and patellofemoral pain, documenting markedly elevated incidence in recruits compared with the general population and a chronic, often disabling course relevant to a service-connection claim.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019 · PMID 30242107
Finding: In a pooled analysis of 18 prospective studies (4,818 participants, 483 developing PFP), quadriceps weakness was identified as a risk factor for future patellofemoral pain specifically in military recruits, especially when normalized by BMI (SMD -0.69, 95% CI -1.02 to -0.35).
Why it helps: Supports an association between the physical demands and conditioning deficits seen in military service and onset of patellofemoral pain, identifying military recruits as a distinct higher-risk subgroup.
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 2007 · PMID 17993785
Finding: Among 84 officer cadets with no prior knee or lower-leg complaints followed through a 6-week basic military training period, 36 (43%) developed patellofemoral pain, with onset linked to specific gait-related plantar pressure patterns.
Why it helps: Supports an association between basic military training and new-onset patellofemoral pain, showing that a large share of previously healthy recruits developed the condition during a short training cycle.
Physical Therapy in Sport, 2023 · PMID 36525739
Finding: In male military recruits followed prospectively through 12 weeks of training, a larger frontal plane projection angle during single-leg landing was the strongest predictor of developing patellofemoral pain, with angles greater than 5.2 degrees associated with a 2.2-fold greater risk.
Why it helps: Supports an association between the repetitive loading and movement demands of military training and development of patellofemoral pain in service members.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2017 · nexus to obesity / overweight, patellofemoral osteoarthritis · PMID 27927675
Finding: Across 52 studies, adults with patellofemoral pain had higher BMI than healthy controls (SMD 0.24, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.36), and the association was stronger for patellofemoral osteoarthritis (SMD 0.73, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.99), with a statistical trend toward higher BMI predicting future PFP in adults.
Why it helps: Supports an association between elevated body weight (often tied to service-connected conditions limiting activity) and patellofemoral pain, and links patellofemoral pain to later patellofemoral osteoarthritis, a condition commonly claimed as secondary to it.
Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 2022 · nexus to obesity / body fat · PMID 35870253
Finding: In 114 adults with patellofemoral pain, higher body fat and lower skeletal muscle mass were associated with greater local and widespread pressure hyperalgesia and higher self-reported pain, while higher BMI was associated with greater self-reported pain.
Why it helps: Supports an association between increased body fat (which can result from service-connected conditions that reduce mobility) and worse pain severity in patellofemoral pain, relevant to a secondary-aggravation argument.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2012 · PMID 21357578
Finding: In a randomized controlled trial of 56 patients with chronic patellofemoral pain syndrome followed for 5 years, both treatment groups improved on the Kujala score, yet some patients in both groups continued to have long-term symptoms.
Why it helps: Supports the chronic and persistent nature of patellofemoral pain syndrome, showing that symptoms can endure for years despite treatment, which is relevant to establishing a current chronic disability.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Patellofemoral Syndrome
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Patellofemoral Syndrome. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
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Filing a Patellofemoral Syndromeclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Patellofemoral Syndrome should also be looking at:
Quick calculator
Estimate your combined rating →
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Health care
Estimate your VA Priority Group →
Priority Group 1-8 determines what care you get and what it costs. Service-connected = lower copays, full access.
Where you live
Compare 50 state veteran benefits →
State property tax exemptions for SC vets vary 10x. Some states fully exempt 100%-rated vets, others give nothing.
Home buying
VA home loan + funding fee waiver →
ANY service-connected rating waives the funding fee. On a $400K loan that's ~$8,600 saved.
Draft your Patellofemoral Syndrome personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
Start Your Patellofemoral Syndrome VA Claim
Use our free Claims Builder to organize your Patellofemoral Syndrome evidence, track your claim status, and prepare for your C&P exam. No coaching fees — just tools.
Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Patellofemoral Syndrome.
Patellofemoral Syndrome Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
More free tools
Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.