EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Hip Strain/Bursitis
DC 5252 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 |
Hip Strain/Bursitis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5252 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 across 3 severity tiers (40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis / 20% -- Moderate limitation / 10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion). 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Lumbar Spine Condition or Opposite Hip Condition under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
OVERVIEW
Hip pain and limited range of motion from muscle strain or bursal inflammation affecting walking, sitting, and daily activities
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis
Severe limitation of motion or ankylosis of the affected joint. Specific percentages depend on the joint and whether dominant/non-dominant.
20% -- Moderate limitation
Moderate limitation of motion with significant functional impairment. DeLuca factors may increase the effective rating.
10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion
Mild limitation of motion, or X-ray evidence of arthritis with painful motion under DC 5003.
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
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (9 MAPPED)
DC
Hip dysfunction alters spinal mechanics
DC
Compensation damages contralateral hip
DC
Same-side kinetic chain affected
DC
Weight-shifting stresses opposite knee
DC
Hip mechanics affect SI joint loading
DC
Hip dysfunction causes muscle compensation
DC
Abnormal mechanics irritate bursa
DC
Hip dysfunction can irritate sciatic nerve
DC
Chronic hip pain causes depression
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026