Veterans dealing with hip pain, limited mobility, or post-surgical hip conditions can receive monthly tax-free compensation through the VA disability system. The rating you receive depends on which diagnostic code applies to your condition and how severely it limits your range of motion or function. This guide covers every hip-related diagnostic code, the exact degree thresholds that trigger each rating, and the steps to file a winning claim.
How the VA Rates Hip Conditions
The VA rates hip conditions under 38 CFR Part 4, Subpart B, Schedule of Ratings for the Musculoskeletal System. Hip conditions fall primarily under Diagnostic Codes 5250 through 5255, with additional codes for osteoarthritis (DC 5003) and hip replacement (DC 5054).
The VA measures five hip movements during a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam:
- Flexion (bringing the thigh forward and upward)
- Extension (moving the thigh backward)
- Abduction (moving the leg outward)
- Adduction (moving the leg inward, crossing the legs)
- Internal and external rotation (twisting the thigh)
Normal hip flexion is 125 degrees. Normal extension is 20 degrees. Ratings increase as these values fall below normal thresholds.
Pain during motion also counts. Under 38 CFR 4.59, if any movement is painful, the VA must assign at least a minimum compensable rating even if the range of motion technically exceeds the lowest threshold.
Diagnostic Code 5250: Hip Ankylosis
Ankylosis means the hip joint has become completely stiff or fused, either from bone changes, scar tissue, or surgical fusion. This is the most severe category.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|
| 90% | Unfavorable ankylosis: foot cannot reach ground, crutches required |
| 70% | Intermediate: unfavorable position but less severe than 90% |
| 60% | Favorable: flexion between 20 and 40 degrees, with slight adduction or abduction |
Ankylosis ratings are among the highest in the musculoskeletal schedule because a fused hip joint severely limits walking, sitting, and all weight-bearing activities.
Diagnostic Code 5251: Limitation of Extension of the Thigh
Extension is the backward movement of the leg. Most people have about 20 degrees of normal hip extension.
| Rating | Extension Threshold |
|---|
| 10% | Extension limited to 5 degrees or less |
| 20% | Extension limited, with greater restriction than 10% threshold |
Extension limitation is often present after hip fractures, labral tears, or chronic osteoarthritis. Veterans frequently underreport extension loss because it is less obvious than flexion loss, but it still qualifies for a separate rating.
Diagnostic Code 5252: Limitation of Flexion of the Thigh
Flexion is the forward and upward movement of the thigh. Normal flexion is 125 degrees.
| Rating | Flexion Threshold |
|---|
| 10% | Flexion limited to 45 degrees or less |
| 20% | Flexion limited to 30 degrees or less |
| 30% | Flexion limited to 20 degrees or less |
| 40% | Flexion limited to 10 degrees or less |
DC 5252 is the most commonly applied hip code because flexion loss is the most measurable and documented limitation from hip injuries and degenerative conditions.
Diagnostic Code 5253: Limitation of Adduction, Abduction, and Rotation
This code covers three separate hip movements grouped together. Each can support its own rating.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|
| 10% | Limitation of adduction: cannot cross legs |
| 10% | Limitation of rotation: cannot toe-out more than 15 degrees in affected leg |
| 20% | Limitation of abduction: motion lost beyond 10 degrees |
These limitations commonly appear in veterans with hip bursitis, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), and hip labral tears. If both adduction and abduction are limited on the same hip, ratings may be combined under the VA's combined ratings formula.
Diagnostic Code 5254: Ankylosis of the Femur (Thigh Bone)
DC 5254 addresses cases where the femur itself is fused or ankylosed, rather than the hip joint specifically. Ratings follow the same scale as DC 5250 based on position and severity.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|
| 60% | Favorable position: moderate flexion limitation |
| 70% | Intermediate unfavorable position |
| 90% | Extremely unfavorable: foot not reaching ground, crutches required |
Diagnostic Code 5255: Femur Fracture (Impairment of the Thigh)
DC 5255 applies to veterans who sustained a femur fracture during service or as a result of a service-connected condition.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|
| 10% | Slight residual impairment |
| 20% | Moderate impairment |
| 30% | Moderately severe impairment |
| 40% | Severe impairment with marked deformity |
Femur fractures often result in leg length discrepancy, muscle weakness, and range of motion loss that can trigger additional ratings under DC 5252 or DC 5253.
Diagnostic Code 5054: Hip Replacement
If you have had a total hip replacement or hip resurfacing, the VA uses DC 5054 specifically.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|
| 100% | Four months immediately following prosthesis implantation |
| 90% | Painful motion or weakness requiring use of crutches |
| 70% | Markedly severe residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion |
| 50% | Moderately severe residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion |
| 30% | Minimum rating: total hip replacement with minimal residuals |
After the initial 100% rating period (four months post-surgery), the VA schedules a re-evaluation. Veterans retain at minimum a 30% rating permanently following any total hip replacement. If significant pain, weakness, or motion loss persists beyond the four-month period, ratings of 50%, 70%, or 90% are possible.
If you have bilateral hip replacements (both hips), each hip is rated separately and then combined using the VA combined ratings table. The bilateral factor (10% additional compensation) may also apply.
Diagnostic Code 5003: Osteoarthritis of the Hip
Many veterans develop hip osteoarthritis as a result of years of physical demands during service or from a prior service-connected injury.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|
| 20% | X-ray evidence of two or more major joints involved, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations |
| 10% | X-ray evidence of two or more major joints involved |
Osteoarthritis ratings under DC 5003 can be assigned in addition to range of motion limitations if the conditions are distinct and both affect occupational and daily functioning.
Secondary Service Connection for Hip Conditions
Many VA hip claims succeed as secondary service connection claims, where the hip condition developed because of a different service-connected disability. Common secondary hip claim scenarios include:
Lower back conditions: Lumbar spine problems change gait and posture, placing abnormal stress on the hip joints. A nexus letter from a medical provider documenting this biomechanical relationship supports a secondary claim.
Knee conditions: A service-connected knee injury causes veterans to compensate by shifting weight to the opposite hip, leading to accelerated hip degeneration on the unaffected side.
Obesity as secondary condition: In limited circumstances, service-connected conditions that cause mobility limitations may contribute to weight gain that aggravates hip joints.
To file a secondary claim, you need three things:
- A current diagnosis of the hip condition
- An existing service-connected primary condition
- A medical nexus linking the two (usually a private nexus letter or VA medical opinion)
How the VA C&P Exam Works for Hip Claims
The Compensation and Pension exam is the single most important factor in your hip rating. Here is what to expect and how to prepare:
The examiner uses a goniometer to measure your range of motion in all directions. They will document whether any movement causes pain, and if so, at what angle pain begins. This is called "painful motion" and it matters under 38 CFR 4.59.
The examiner will also test for "additional limitation following repetitive use." If your range of motion decreases after performing the movement three times, that reduced measurement can be used for rating purposes.
Common mistakes veterans make at C&P exams:
- Performing better than usual because of exam anxiety or adrenaline
- Not mentioning pain that occurs at the beginning of movement, only at the end
- Not reporting how the condition affects their daily life, work, and sleep
- Attending the exam on a "good day" without documenting what bad days look like
Bring documentation of all treatment, imaging results (X-rays, MRIs), and a written account of how your hip condition affects your ability to work and perform daily activities.
Bilateral Hip Conditions and the Bilateral Factor
If both hips are service-connected, you are entitled to the bilateral factor under 38 CFR 4.68. This adds 10% to the combined value of both hip ratings before applying the combined ratings formula.
For example, if you have a 20% rating on the right hip and a 20% rating on the left hip, the bilateral factor increases your combined rating before it is converted to a final percentage. This can make a meaningful difference in monthly compensation.
Monthly Compensation Amounts (2026)
VA disability compensation rates are adjusted annually by a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). For 2026, the following rates apply for veterans with no dependents:
| Combined Rating | Monthly Compensation |
|---|
| 10% | $175.51 |
| 20% | $346.95 |
| 30% | $537.42 |
| 40% | $774.16 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 |
| 60% | $1,395.93 |
| 70% | $1,759.19 |
| 80% | $2,044.89 |
| 90% | $2,297.96 |
| 100% | $3,831.30 |
Veterans with dependents (spouse, children, dependent parents) receive higher rates. A veteran rated at 30% or higher with a spouse receives additional monthly compensation on top of the base rate.
Step-by-Step: How to File a VA Hip Disability Claim
Step 1: Gather your evidence
Collect all relevant records before filing:
- Service records documenting any hip injury, treatment, or complaints during service
- VA medical records and any private medical records showing diagnosis and treatment
- Imaging results: X-rays, MRIs, CT scans
- Buddy statements from fellow service members who witnessed your injury or limitations
- A private nexus letter if filing a secondary claim
Step 2: File your claim online
Go to VA.gov and sign in with your DS Logon, MyHealtheVet, or Login.gov account. Navigate to "File a Disability Claim" under the Benefits menu. Select "Disability Compensation" and choose "File a Claim for a New Condition" or "File a Supplemental Claim" if you have a prior denial.
Step 3: Complete VA Form 21-526EZ
This is the Application for Disability Compensation. You can complete it online, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. Include a detailed description of your hip condition, when it started, how it relates to your service, and how it affects your daily life.
Step 4: Attend your C&P exam
The VA will schedule a Compensation and Pension exam after receiving your claim. Attendance is required. Bring all your documentation. Be thorough and honest about your worst days, not just your typical days.
Step 5: Review your rating decision
The VA will mail you a Rating Decision explaining the assigned rating, the evidence considered, and the reasoning. Review it carefully against the diagnostic code criteria described above.
Step 6: Appeal if necessary
If you disagree with the rating, you have three options within one year of the decision:
- Supplemental Claim (new and relevant evidence)
- Higher-Level Review (a senior reviewer looks at the same record)
- Board of Veterans Appeals (appeal to a Veterans Law Judge)
Most successful appeals rely on a stronger nexus letter, a better C&P exam (often through a DBQ from a private provider), or more complete range of motion documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest VA rating for a hip condition?
The highest rating for a hip condition is 90% for ankylosis in an extremely unfavorable position or hip replacement requiring crutches. A temporary 100% rating is available for the four months immediately following hip replacement surgery.
Can I get a VA rating for hip pain without a diagnosis?
You need a current diagnosis from a medical provider to receive a VA disability rating. Subjective pain complaints alone are not enough. However, if a provider has diagnosed your condition as hip osteoarthritis, hip impingement, bursitis, labral tear, or any other identified diagnosis, you can file a claim under the appropriate diagnostic code.
What is the minimum VA rating for a hip replacement?
The minimum VA rating following a total hip replacement is 30% under Diagnostic Code 5054. This minimum rating applies for life after any total hip replacement, even if residuals are minimal.
Can I receive ratings for both hips?
Yes. Each hip is rated separately, and both ratings are combined using the VA combined ratings formula. The bilateral factor under 38 CFR 4.68 adds an additional 10% to the combined value when bilateral conditions are both service-connected.
How does hip pain secondary to back pain work?
If you have a service-connected back condition and your doctor can document that the back condition caused or aggravated your hip condition, you can file a secondary service connection claim. You will need a nexus letter from a qualified medical provider explaining the relationship between the two conditions.
What if the VA denied my hip claim?
A denial can be appealed. The most common reasons for denial are lack of medical nexus, inadequate C&P exam, or missing service records. A supplemental claim with a stronger private nexus letter or an IMO (Independent Medical Opinion) resolves many denials. Consider working with an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or VA-accredited attorney at no cost to you.
Does the VA rate hip bursitis or FAI separately?
Hip impingement (FAI) and bursitis are rated analogously under the most closely related diagnostic code, typically DC 5252 or DC 5253 based on range of motion limitations. The VA assigns an analogous rating by comparing the condition to the closest listed condition in the rating schedule.
What is the painful motion rule and how does it apply to hip claims?
Under 38 CFR 4.59, when a joint is painful on motion, the VA must assign at least a 10% rating even if the range of motion itself does not fall below the threshold for a compensable rating. This rule means veterans with painful but not severely restricted hip motion still qualify for compensation.
Use the free Benefits Navigator screener to check your eligibility for VA disability and other federal benefit programs based on your service history, income, and household situation.
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