CLAIM RECON INTEL

DC 5054 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a | M21-1, Part IV.ii.2

OVERVIEW

Total hip replacement (DC 5054) rates 100% for one year following prosthetic replacement. After one year, minimum rating is 30% with chronic residuals. 50% for moderately severe weakness, pain, or limitation. 70% for markedly severe residuals. 90% for painful motion or weakness requiring assistive devices.

RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)

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.