Internal derangement of the knee - Acute Sprain Factor

Definition

Acute sprains are injuries involving tearing or stretching of one or more joint ligaments.

Note:  the SOP that covers this condition also covers acute strains which are injuries involving tearing or stretching of tendons or muscles.

Signs and symptoms

The signs of an acute sprain would include pain and tenderness at that site (within the 24 hours following the injury) and could also include swelling, bruising, and loss of functional ability.

Establishing onset

A history of an acute sprain may be documented in the evidence.  However, the person may not have sought medical attention for such an injury.  In addition, all relevant medical records may not be available, therefore, a statement that an acute sprain occurred at a particular time will generally be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.  Seek medical advice if the onset of the acute sprain is unclear.

Last reviewed for CCPS 29 September 2013.

Preliminary questions [41964]

41957 the veteran had an acute sprain at some time.

41961 the veteran had the acute sprain to side and site of the body at some time.

41965 the veteran has established the causal connection between the acute sprain and VEA service for Internal derangement of the knee.

41959 the veteran had the acute sprain to the side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical onset of the internal derangement of the knee.

41966 the veteran has established the causal connection between this acute sprain and VEA service for the clinical onset of internal derangement of the knee.

41968  the veteran has established the causal connection between this acute sprain and operational service for the clinical onset of the internal derangement of the knee.

or

41969  the veteran has established the causal connection between this acute sprain and eligible service for the clinical onset of internal derangement of the knee.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

41956   the veteran had the acute sprain to side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical worsening of the internal derangement of the knee.

41967   the veteran has established the causal connection between this acute sprain and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the internal derangement of the knee.

41970  the veteran has established the causal connection between this acute sprain and operational service for the clinical worsening of the internal derangement of the knee.

or

41971  the veteran has established the causal connection between this acute sprain and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the internal derangement of the knee.

Clinical onset and operational service [41968]

41963  the acute sprain to side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [41969]

41960  the acute sprain to side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [41970]

41963  the acute sprain to side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

41962  the clinical onset of the internal derangement of the knee occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the acute sprain is causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [41971]

41960  the acute sprain to side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.

41958  the clinical onset of the internal derangement of the knee occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the acute sprain is causally related.