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Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip)
DC 5019 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019 |
Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5019 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019 across 5 severity tiers (40% / 30% / 20% / 10% / 0%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.
OVERVIEW
Chronic inflammation of the trochanteric bursa on the lateral hip causing pain with lying on the affected side and walking
RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)
40%
DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 10°" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe trochanteric bursitis with secondary capsular contracture can rarely reach this tier.
30%
DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 20°" = 30%; DC 5253 (combined) "Limitation of abduction, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%, combined per § 4.25 may reach 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
20%
DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 30°" = 20%; DC 5253 "Limitation of abduction, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252-5253.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.
10%
DC 5251 "Extension limited to 5°" = 10%; DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 45°" = 10%; DC 5253 "Limitation of adduction, cannot cross legs" = 10% / "Limitation of rotation, cannot toe-out >15° affected leg" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback (hip is one major joint) with painful-motion / swelling / muscle-spasm objectively confirmed = 10%. ⚠ X-ray-only fallback NOT available per Note 2. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
0%
Diagnosed trochanteric bursitis without compensable ROM under DC 5251/5252/5253 AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion / palpable tenderness over greater trochanter / Trendelenburg gait findings supporting the DC 5003 10% single-joint fallback.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints
-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)
-Range of motion measurements
-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin
-Buddy statements describing limitations
-Prescription history
-Physical therapy records
-Employment impact documentation
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL
Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026