Hip VA Rating: Diagnostic Codes 5250–5255 and 5054

Complete VA hip rating table (DC 5250–5255, DC 5054, and 38 CFR 4.59)

The table below lists every rating percentage and criterion for hip and thigh disabilities under current 38 CFR 4.71a and 38 CFR 4.59. Lower-extremity ratings apply equally to the right or left hip.

Under the veteran-alone compensation schedule effective 2025-12-01, a 10% rating pays $180.42 per month, 20% pays $356.66, 30% pays $552.47, 40% pays $795.84, 50% pays $1,132.90, and 100% pays $3,938.58.

Normal hip range of motion and DCs 5251, 5252, and 5253

Under 38 CFR 4.71 (Plate II) and the Hip and Thigh Conditions DBQ, the neutral position with the leg extended in line with the torso is 0 degrees. Examiners measure six planes of motion:

• Flexion (0° to 125°): Raising the thigh forward toward the chest with the knee bent.
• Extension (0° to 30° on DBQ; 0° to 20° on Plate II): Moving the thigh straight backward.
• Abduction (0° to 45°): Moving the leg outward away from the midline.
• Adduction (0° to 25°): Moving the leg inward across the midline.
• External rotation (0° to 60°): Turning the thigh and foot outward.
• Internal rotation (0° to 40°): Turning the thigh and foot inward.

Each range-of-motion code evaluates specific planes of restriction:

• Limitation of thigh extension (DC 5251): Awards 10% when extension is limited to 5° or less.
• Limitation of thigh flexion (DC 5252): Awards 10% when flexion is limited to 45°, 20% when limited to 30°, 30% when limited to 20°, and 40% when limited to 10°.
• Impairment of the thigh (DC 5253): Awards 20% when abduction is lost beyond 10°, 10% when adduction limitation prevents crossing the legs, or 10% when rotation prevents toeing-out more than 15° on the affected leg.

Separate ratings on the same hip and anti-pyramiding rules

Under 38 CFR 4.14, the VA prohibits rating the same manifestation twice. Because extension (DC 5251), flexion (DC 5252), and lateral or rotational motion (DC 5253) measure distinct planes, a veteran can receive up to three separate ratings on a single hip:

1. DC 5251 (10%) for extension limited to 5° or less.
2. DC 5252 (10%–40%) for flexion limited to 45° or less.
3. DC 5253 (10% or 20%) for abduction lost beyond 10°, inability to cross legs, or inability to toe-out past 15°.

By contrast, all three criteria inside DC 5253 share one diagnostic code and yield only one rating under DC 5253 (10% or 20%).

Labral tears, FAI, bursitis, and the 10% painful motion rule

The rating schedule does not list standalone codes for labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), or trochanteric pain syndrome. Under the Note to DCs 5013–5024 in 38 CFR 4.71a, bursitis (DC 5019) and tendinitis/tendinopathy (DC 5024)—along with osteoarthritis (DC 5003 and DC 5010)—are rated on limitation of motion.

If your hip bends past 45° in flexion, extends past 5°, and abducts past 10°, three regulations still protect your claim:

1. Painful motion (38 CFR 4.59) and DC 5003: Painful, unstable, or malaligned joints warrant at least the minimum compensable rating. Because the hip is a major joint under 38 CFR 4.45, objective evidence of painful motion, swelling, crepitus, or spasm warrants 10% even when motion is noncompensable under DCs 5251–5253.
2. Functional loss (38 CFR 4.40): Disability includes inability to perform normal movements with normal excursion, strength, speed, coordination, and endurance due to pain or weakness.
3. Flare-ups and repetitive use (38 CFR 4.45 and DeLuca v. Brown): If repetitive use or flare-ups reduce motion to the cutoffs of DCs 5251–5253, the VA must evaluate your hip based on those functional endpoints.

Total hip replacement, resurfacing (DC 5054), and structural codes (DC 5250, 5254, 5255)

When severe pathology requires joint reconstruction, the VA evaluates the hip under Diagnostic Code 5054 (revised by 85 FR 76453, effective February 7, 2021):

• Temporary 100% rating (4 months + 1 month under § 4.30): Under Note (5) and DC 5054, prosthetic replacement and resurfacing receive 100% for 4 months after implantation, commencing after the initial 1-month total rating under 38 CFR 4.30. Under Note (2), a revision surgery is rated the same way only if all original components are replaced.
• Permanent residuals after prosthetic replacement: Under Note (3), prosthetic replacement means total replacement of the femoral head or acetabulum. Residuals are rated at 90% (plus Special Monthly Compensation) if painful motion or weakness requires crutches; 70% for markedly severe residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion; 50% for moderately severe residuals; or a 30% minimum evaluation for total replacement.
• Hip resurfacing: Under the Note to DC 5054, after the 4-month 100% period ends, resurfacing is rated under DCs 5250–5255 with no 30% minimum evaluation. Under Note (1), a hip rated under DC 5054 cannot receive additional ratings under 38 CFR 4.71a for the same joint, though painful scars (DC 7804) or nerve injuries (38 CFR 4.124a) may be rated separately.

Severe non-prosthetic structural impairments fall under three codes:

• Ankylosis of the hip (DC 5250): Complete immobilization of the hip is rated at 60% when fused at a favorable angle (flexion between 20° and 40° with slight adduction or abduction), 70% for intermediate ankylosis, and 90% (plus Special Monthly Compensation) for unfavorable ankylosis where the foot cannot reach the ground and crutches are required.
• Flail hip joint (DC 5254): Complete loss of stability (such as after femoral head resection) warrants 80%.
• Femur impairment (DC 5255): Shaft or anatomical neck fracture with nonunion and loose motion warrants 80%; nonunion without loose motion with weight bearing preserved via brace, or surgical neck fracture with a false joint, warrants 60%. Malunion of the femur is evaluated under knee codes 5256, 5257, 5260, or 5261 or hip codes 5250–5254, whichever yields the highest rating.

How the C&P exam and Hip and Thigh DBQ measure your claim

During a hip C&P exam, the clinician completes the Hip and Thigh Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

• Diagnosis & Flare-Ups (Sections I–II): Records verified diagnoses (osteoarthritis, replacement or resurfacing, trochanteric pain syndrome, FAI/labral tears, iliopsoas tendinitis, stress fractures, or avascular necrosis) and documents flare-ups and functional loss in your words.
• Goniometer Range of Motion & Adduction Checkboxes (Section III): Measures active and passive flexion (125°), extension (30°), abduction (45°), adduction (25°), external rotation (60°), and internal rotation (40°); notes pain on motion and weight-bearing; tests three repetitions for repetitive-use loss; estimates degree endpoints during flare-ups; and asks whether limited adduction prevents crossing the legs.
• Atrophy, Ankylosis, Femur/Leg Length, Surgery & Assistive Devices (Sections IV–XI): Measures thigh circumference for atrophy, checks for ankylosis or femur malunion/nonunion, measures leg-length discrepancy, records DC 5054 residuals and assistive devices (cane, crutches, brace, walker), and verifies imaging of arthritis.

Stop moving your leg as soon as pain begins during goniometer testing so the examiner records your functional limit, and state clearly if pain or stiffness prevents crossing your legs or toeing out past 15 degrees.

Secondary conditions, combined ratings, and accredited help

Under 38 CFR 3.310, secondary service connection applies in both directions with a medical nexus opinion:

• Hip secondary to knee, foot, or spine conditions: An altered gait from service-connected knee pain, foot conditions, or back pain may cause or aggravate secondary hip osteoarthritis, bursitis, or labral tears.
• Conditions secondary to a service-connected hip: Favoring an injured hip may cause or aggravate opposite hip or knee arthritis, anterior pelvic tilt and lumbar spine strain, peripheral nerve compression such as lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuralgia (DC 8529) or sciatic/femoral nerve deficits under 38 CFR 4.124a, or depressive and anxiety disorders under 38 CFR 4.130.

Multiple ratings combine under 38 CFR 4.25, which you can calculate with our VA combined rating calculator. When compensable disabilities affect both lower extremities (such as both hips, or one hip and the opposite knee), 38 CFR 4.26 adds a 10% bilateral factor to their combined value before combining with other ratings.

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) such as the DAV, VFW, and American Legion provide claims representation free of charge, while VA-accredited claims agents and attorneys handle appeals. No representative can guarantee an outcome; verify credentials through the VA Office of General Counsel Accreditation Search.