EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Hip VA Disability Rating
DC 5250-5255 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a | M21-1, Part IV.ii.2
OVERVIEW
Hip conditions are rated based on limitation of motion in flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a. Common hip disabilities include degenerative joint disease, labral tears, hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement), and avascular necrosis. Hip conditions frequently develop secondary to knee or lumbar spine conditions through altered gait mechanics. The bilateral factor applies when both hips are affected.
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
40% — Flexion limited to 10 degrees (DC 5252)
Thigh cannot be flexed beyond 10 degrees. Severe limitation.
30% — Flexion limited to 20 degrees (DC 5252)
Thigh flexion limited to 20 degrees.
20% — Flexion limited to 30 degrees OR abduction lost beyond 10 degrees
Thigh flexion limited to 30 degrees, OR cannot abduct the thigh beyond 10 degrees (cannot cross legs).
10% — Flexion limited to 45 degrees OR limited rotation/abduction/adduction
Thigh flexion limited to 45 degrees, OR limitation of rotation, abduction, or adduction meeting minimum criteria.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-X-rays or MRI showing arthritis, labral tears, impingement, or avascular necrosis
-Service records documenting hip injury, heavy rucking, or airborne/parachute operations
-Gait analysis or physical therapy records documenting altered walking pattern
-Documentation of pain with walking, climbing stairs, or getting in/out of vehicles
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (3 MAPPED)
DC 5237-5243
Altered gait from hip condition causes spinal compensatory stress.
DC 5250-5255
Compensatory overuse of unaffected hip accelerates bilateral degeneration.
DC 5003/5257
Altered gait from hip condition places abnormal stress on knee joints.
C&P EXAM TIPS (4)
1.Hip ROM is measured in multiple planes — flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation. Each limitation can contribute to the rating.
2.Report difficulty with stairs, getting in/out of vehicles, walking distances, and sitting for extended periods.
3.If your hip condition developed secondary to a knee or back condition, ensure the nexus opinion addresses biomechanical causation through altered gait.
4.Bilateral hip conditions qualify for the bilateral factor under 38 C.F.R. § 4.26.
RELEVANT CASE LAW
DeLuca v. Brown (1995)
Functional loss from pain must be considered in hip ROM ratings.
DOLLAR IMPACT
Hip conditions frequently develop as secondary conditions to back or knee disabilities. Adding a 10% hip rating to existing musculoskeletal conditions can push combined ratings past key rounding thresholds via VA math.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026