| 5002 Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process: | |
| With constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating | 100 |
| Less than criteria for 100% but with weight loss and anemia productive of severe impairment of health or severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring 4 or more times a year or a lesser number over prolonged periods | 60 |
| Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year | 40 |
| One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis | 20 |
| Note (1): Examples of conditions rated using this diagnostic code include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and spondyloarthropathies. | |
| Note (2): For chronic residuals, rate under diagnostic code 5003. | |
| Note (3): The ratings for the active process will not be combined with the residual ratings for limitation of motion, ankylosis, or diagnostic code 5003. Instead, assign the higher evaluation. | |
| 5003 Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic: | |
| Degenerative arthritis established by X-ray findings will be rated on the basis of limitation of motion under the appropriate diagnostic codes for the specific joint or joints involved (DC 5200 etc.). When however, the limitation of motion of the specific joint or joints involved is noncompensable under the appropriate diagnostic codes, a rating of 10 pct is for application for each such major joint or group of minor joints affected by limitation of motion, to be combined, not added under diagnostic code 5003. Limitation of motion must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion. In the absence of limitation of motion, rate as below: | |
| With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations | 20 |
| With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups | 10 |
| Note (1): The 20 pct and 10 pct ratings based on X-ray findings, above, will not be combined with ratings based on limitation of motion. | |
| Note (2): The 20 pct and 10 pct ratings based on X-ray findings, above, will not be utilized in rating conditions listed under diagnostic codes 5013 to 5024, inclusive. |
Been having knee issues for 7 months now been to physical therapy for 4 months and then discharged, went to orthopedic after MRI and got diagnosed with chondromalacia in both knees however the left knee is worst showing much degeneration. I got injections prp which didn’t help then orthopedic told me to make a decisions with my career goals and go speak with my wife/family because my diagnosis is a condition that will separate me also being on a profile longer that 180 days will trigger one. I went home and made the decision that I’ll take the MEB option the orthopedic then schedule me to a FIT for DUTY and then told me and also put in her notes that I’d rather to exit the army via MEB and I should go back to PA.
The baseline issue is whether of not you have a P3 profile or otherwise fail retention standards under AR 40-501, Chapter 3. Sounds like you have an incompetent or unethical PA who is trying to not do his/her job and is trying to shortchange you.I went to My PA who now states that he has seen guys with this diagnosis still jump out of planes and keep doing airborne things. I am 3 months away from being 31 years old and have a kid on the way. My PA states that he sees that I just want to get out the ARMY and that’s okay to him but my right knee isn’t that bad opposed to the left. Also he told me I have to get my FIT for DUTY appointment fulfilled which is on Friday before he can do anything but therapy again. Is it that my PA is disregarding my diagnosis of my knees because I am in so much pain from this injury I received and it’s been since last year June. I joined late because I am in a little over a year. What are the odds at FIT for DUTY exam this Friday. Sorry for the long post.

I am sorry to hear about your health issues and the problems with your discharge. As a baseline, I think that the issue of the propriety of your discharge turns on whether or not your condition was in the line of duty.
I assume you mean a VA disability claim. Is this the case?
Bottom line, at this point, if you want to challenge your discharge, you will need to apply to the Air Force Board for the Correction of Military Records.
It is hard to provide much more input without knowing more about your case.
Jason