EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty)
DC 5054 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054 |
Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5054 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054 across 5 severity tiers (100% / 90% / 70% / 50% / 30%). 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
Prosthetic replacement of the hip joint (total or partial hip arthroplasty) with residual pain and functional limitations
RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)
100%
DC 5054 verbatim — For 4 months following implantation of prosthesis or resurfacing: 100 percent. Per Note (5), commences after the 1-month total rating under § 4.30 following hospital discharge (SHORTER than other joints — 4 months for hip/knee vs 1 year for shoulder/elbow/wrist/ankle). Footnote 1: SMC entitled during the 100% period.
90%
DC 5054 verbatim — Following implantation of prosthesis with painful motion or weakness such as to require the use of crutches: 90 percent.
70%
DC 5054 verbatim — Markedly severe residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion following implantation of prosthesis: 70 percent.
50%
DC 5054 verbatim — Moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain or limitation of motion: 50 percent.
30%
DC 5054 verbatim — Minimum evaluation, total replacement only: 30 percent. Per the NOTE: at the conclusion of the 100% evaluation period, evaluate RESURFACING (not total replacement) under DCs 5250 through 5255 — there is no minimum evaluation for resurfacing. Per Note (1), no additional § 4.71a rating for the same hip joint.
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