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 4 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30% / 40%). 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 (4 LEVELS)
10%
Flexion of thigh limited to 45 degrees.
20%
Flexion of thigh limited to 30 degrees.
30%
Flexion of thigh limited to 20 degrees.
40%
Flexion of thigh limited to 10 degrees.
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 (17 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
DC
Compensatory weight bearing stresses opposite hip
DC
Altered pelvic tilt accelerates spinal degeneration
DC
Hip dysfunction transfers stress to SI joint
DC
Abnormal gait pattern accelerates knee degeneration
DC
Compensatory weight bearing stresses opposite hip
DC
Altered pelvic tilt accelerates spinal degeneration
DC
Hip dysfunction transfers stress to SI joint
DC
Abnormal gait pattern accelerates knee degeneration
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