What rates 20% for Snapping Hip Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 (DC 5252), a 20% rating for Snapping Hip Syndrome requires: DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 30°" = 20%; DC 5253 "Limitation of abduction, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

What happens during a C&P exam for Snapping Hip Syndrome?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Snapping Hip Syndrome

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Snapping Hip Syndrome?

Snapping Hip Syndrome (DC 5252) is rated at 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252. DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 20°" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe snapping with secondary contracture — rare.

Q: What rates 30% for Snapping Hip Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 (DC 5252), a 30% rating for Snapping Hip Syndrome requires: DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 20°" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe snapping with secondary contracture — rare.

Q: What rates 10% for Snapping Hip Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 (DC 5252), a 10% rating for Snapping Hip Syndrome requires: DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 45°" = 10%; DC 5253 "Limitation of adduction, cannot cross legs" = 10% OR "Limitation of rotation, cannot toe-out >15°" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-major-joint fallback with painful motion / palpable snapping reproduced on exam = 10%. ⚠ If rated by analogy to DC 5024 (tenosynovitis), DC 5003 X-ray-only fallback is NOT available per Note 2. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Q: What rates 0% for Snapping Hip Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 (DC 5252), a 0% rating for Snapping Hip Syndrome requires: Diagnosed snapping hip (clinically reproducible snapping +/- imaging confirmation) without compensable ROM limitation AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion findings. Pure snapping without pain or ROM impairment is non-compensable.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Snapping Hip Syndrome VA claim?

Key evidence for a Snapping Hip Syndrome claim includes: 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. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 5252 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 | 

Snapping Hip Syndrome is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5252 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 across 4 severity tiers (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

Audible or palpable snapping sensation in the hip from tendons sliding over bony prominences during movement

RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)

30%

DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 20°" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe snapping with secondary contracture — rare.

20%

DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 30°" = 20%; DC 5253 "Limitation of abduction, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

10%

DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 45°" = 10%; DC 5253 "Limitation of adduction, cannot cross legs" = 10% OR "Limitation of rotation, cannot toe-out >15°" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-major-joint fallback with painful motion / palpable snapping reproduced on exam = 10%. ⚠ If rated by analogy to DC 5024 (tenosynovitis), DC 5003 X-ray-only fallback is NOT available per Note 2. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Diagnosed snapping hip (clinically reproducible snapping +/- imaging confirmation) without compensable ROM limitation AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion findings. Pure snapping without pain or ROM impairment is non-compensable.

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.

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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.

→ View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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