Hip Pain VA Rating: 10% to 40% (DC 5252)

What is hip pain and how does it affect veterans?

Hip conditions — including limited range of motion, arthritis, labral tears, bursitis, and avascular necrosis — are common disabilities among veterans. The hip joint bears an enormous amount of weight and force during military activities. Years of running with heavy packs, marching, jumping, airborne operations, vehicle-borne impacts, and repetitive high-impact physical training all contribute to hip joint deterioration. Direct hip injuries from falls, combat, and training accidents are also common.

Chronic hip pain fundamentally limits a veteran’s mobility. Walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of vehicles, bending to tie shoes, sitting for extended periods, and sleeping on the affected side all become painful or difficult. Many veterans with hip conditions develop a noticeable limp, which then places compensatory stress on the opposite hip, the knees, and the lower back, creating a cascade of secondary musculoskeletal problems.

The VA rates hip conditions under several diagnostic codes depending on the specific impairment. DC 5252 covers limitation of flexion of the thigh, which is the most commonly applied code. Other codes address limitation of rotation, abduction, adduction (DC 5253), impairment of the femur (DC 5255), flail joint (DC 5254), and hip resurfacing or replacement (DC 5054). Understanding these multiple rating possibilities is important for maximizing your compensation.

VA diagnostic code for hip pain

Limitation of flexion of the thigh is rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5252 per 38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings — Musculoskeletal System.

Other hip diagnostic codes include:

• DC 5250 — Ankylosis of the hip (60%-90%)
• DC 5253 — Impairment of the thigh (limitation of rotation, abduction, or adduction — 10%-20%)
• DC 5254 — Flail joint of the hip (80%)
• DC 5255 — Impairment of the femur (fracture with nonunion or false joint — 60%-80%; malunion is evaluated under knee or hip codes)
• DC 5054 — Hip resurfacing or replacement (100% for 4 months after implantation; then 30%-90% for total replacement, with a 30% minimum for total replacement only)
• DC 5003 — Degenerative arthritis (rated based on limitation of motion, or 10%-20% with X-ray evidence)

A single hip can receive ratings under multiple codes if the impairments address different functional limitations.

Rating criteria for hip pain

Normal hip flexion (bringing the knee toward the chest) is 125 degrees. The VA rates limitation of flexion of the thigh at the following levels:

0% rating

Criteria: A hip condition has been diagnosed and service-connected, but flexion is not limited enough to meet the criteria for a 10% rating.

Monthly payment: $0 (but establishes service connection, protecting you if the condition worsens)

Note: If you have painful motion with X-ray evidence of arthritis, you may qualify for at least 10% under DC 5003 even if your flexion does not meet DC 5252 criteria.

10% rating — $180.42/month

Criteria: Flexion of the thigh limited to 45 degrees.

What this looks like: You cannot bring your knee up to a right angle. Climbing stairs is noticeably difficult. Getting in and out of low chairs or vehicles requires effort and causes pain. Bending to tie shoes or pick up objects from the floor is restricted.

20% rating — $356.66/month

Criteria: Flexion of the thigh limited to 30 degrees.

What this looks like: Your hip barely bends. Sitting in a normal chair is uncomfortable because you cannot bend the hip enough for a natural seated position. Climbing stairs is extremely difficult. Getting in and out of a car requires significant assistance or adaptation. Walking up any incline is painful.

30% rating — $552.47/month

Criteria: Flexion of the thigh limited to 20 degrees.

What this looks like: Your hip is severely restricted. You have difficulty transitioning from standing to sitting. Walking any distance is limited and painful. You likely use a cane or other assistive device. Most physical activities involving the lower body are severely compromised.

40% rating — $795.84/month

Criteria: Flexion of the thigh limited to 10 degrees.

What this looks like: Your hip is nearly locked. Virtually no flexion is possible. You cannot sit normally, climb stairs, or walk without significant difficulty and likely assistive devices. This level of restriction is profoundly disabling and affects nearly every aspect of daily mobility.

Additional hip ratings you may qualify for

Impairment of the thigh (DC 5253)

This code covers limitation of rotation, abduction, and adduction — different movements than the flexion covered by DC 5252:

• 10%: Limitation of rotation — cannot toe-out more than 15 degrees in the affected leg; or limitation of adduction — cannot cross legs
• 20%: Limitation of abduction — motion lost beyond 10 degrees

These ratings can be separate from your DC 5252 flexion rating if they address distinct functional impairments.

Impairment of the femur (DC 5255)

If your hip condition involves femur damage:

• Malunion: There are no separate malunion rating levels. Malunion of the femur is evaluated under the knee codes (DC 5256, 5257, 5260, or 5261) or the hip codes (DC 5250-5254), whichever results in the highest evaluation.
• 60%: Fracture of surgical neck with false joint
• 60%: Fracture of shaft or anatomical neck with nonunion, without loose motion, weight bearing preserved with aid of brace
• 80%: Fracture of shaft or anatomical neck with nonunion, with loose motion (spiral or oblique fracture)

Hip resurfacing or replacement (DC 5054)

If you have undergone hip resurfacing or replacement:

• 100% for 4 months following implantation of the prosthesis or resurfacing. This period begins after the initial 1-month total rating assigned under 38 CFR § 4.30 following hospital discharge.

After the 100% period, a total replacement of the head of the femur or of the acetabulum is rated on residuals:

• Minimum 30% (total replacement only), even with good function
• 50% with moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain, or limitation of motion
• 70% with markedly severe residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion
• 90% following implantation with painful motion or weakness such as to require the use of crutches

Hip resurfacing has no minimum rating. After the 100% period, resurfacing is evaluated under DC 5250 through 5255.

What evidence do you need?

Service records

• Service treatment records documenting hip injuries, complaints, or treatment
• Line of duty determinations for specific hip injuries
• DD-214 showing MOS or duties involving heavy physical demands, running, jumping, or airborne operations
• Records of physical profiles or duty limitations for hip conditions
• Records of any in-service hip surgery or imaging

Medical evidence

• Current imaging (X-rays, MRI) showing the condition of your hip joint
• Range of motion measurements from your treating physician, documenting flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation
• Physical therapy records
• Surgical records if applicable (arthroscopy, hip replacement)
• Treatment records documenting ongoing symptoms and progression
• Records of assistive devices prescribed (cane, walker, hip brace)

Nexus letter

A medical opinion connecting your hip condition to military service. If claiming as a direct condition, the letter should explain how specific service activities — running with heavy loads, parachute landings, vehicle impacts, repetitive physical training — caused or contributed to your hip deterioration. If claiming as secondary to back pain, knee pain, or another service-connected condition, the nexus should explain how the altered gait or biomechanical changes from the primary condition caused or aggravated the hip condition.

Buddy statements

Statements from fellow service members who witnessed hip injuries or the physical demands that contributed to your condition. Statements from family members describing how your hip limits daily activities — difficulty walking, need for assistive devices, inability to exercise, problems getting in and out of bed or vehicles.

Personal statement

A detailed account of when your hip problems began, what service activities caused or worsened them, how the condition has progressed, and how it currently affects your daily life, mobility, and employment.

C&P exam tips for hip pain

What the examiner evaluates

• Range of motion in all directions (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation) measured with a goniometer
• Pain on motion — at what degree pain begins in each direction
• Additional functional loss during flare-ups and after repetitive use (DeLuca factors)
• Muscle strength of the hip
• Gait assessment — whether you limp or favor the hip
• Whether you use assistive devices (cane, walker)
• X-ray or MRI findings
• Functional impact on daily activities and employment

How to prepare

1. Follow your clinician’s medication instructions. Do not stop, skip, or change prescribed medication for an exam without talking to your healthcare provider. Tell the examiner what you take, how much it helps, any side effects, and which symptoms remain. See VA’s medication-safety guidance.
2. Describe flare-ups in detail. Under DeLuca, the examiner must estimate additional functional loss during flare-ups. Explain how much worse your hip motion becomes, what triggers flare-ups, how often they occur, and how long they last.
3. Report all directions of limitation. Don’t just focus on flexion. If you also have limited abduction (can’t spread your legs), limited rotation, or limited adduction (can’t cross your legs), tell the examiner. Each direction of limitation may qualify for a separate rating under a different diagnostic code.
4. Bring your assistive devices. If you use a cane, walker, or brace, bring it and explain how often you use it.
5. Report motion and pain accurately. Follow the examiner’s instructions and explain when pain starts and how it limits movement. Tell the examiner immediately if a movement causes severe pain or feels unsafe so they can assess whether to stop or modify testing. Describe additional limitations after repeated use and during flare-ups. Initial motion, pain-related functional loss, repeated use, and flare-ups are separate parts of the assessment; one pain point or movement does not determine the entire rating.
6. Describe the impact on mobility. How far can you walk? Can you climb stairs? Can you get in and out of a car without help? Can you sit for more than 30 minutes? How does it affect your ability to work?

Common mistakes

• Only reporting flexion limitation and not mentioning other directions of motion loss (abduction, rotation, adduction)
• Failing to describe how the hip condition affects gait, which is relevant to secondary knee and back conditions
• Not bringing assistive devices to the exam
• Underreporting the severity and frequency of flare-ups

Common secondary conditions linked to hip pain

Hip conditions frequently cause or worsen other conditions that can be separately rated:

• Back pain — An altered gait from hip dysfunction places abnormal stress on the lumbar spine. Limping is one of the most common causes of secondary back problems.
• Knee pain — Hip conditions alter biomechanics throughout the lower extremity, placing compensatory stress on the knees. Both the same-side and opposite-side knee can be affected.
• Radiculopathy — While radiculopathy typically originates from spinal conditions, hip dysfunction that leads to secondary back problems can ultimately cause nerve compression and radiculopathy.
• Depression and anxiety — Chronic hip pain, loss of mobility, and inability to exercise or participate in activities significantly increase the risk of mental health conditions.
• Sleep apnea — Reduced mobility from hip conditions leads to decreased physical activity and weight gain, both major risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea.
• Opposite hip — Compensating for a painful hip overloads the other one. If one hip is service-connected, the opposite hip can be claimed as secondary.

How to calculate your monthly payment

Your total VA disability payment depends on your combined rating across all service-connected conditions. A hip condition combined with separate ratings for different directions of limitation, secondary back and knee conditions, and other disabilities can result in a combined rating much higher than the hip rating alone. If both hips are affected, each is rated independently, and the bilateral factor provides additional benefit.

Use our VA disability calculator to:

• Calculate your combined rating with multiple conditions
• See how VA math applies the bilateral factor for paired extremities
• Estimate your monthly payment including dependents

For the full breakdown of payment amounts at every rating level, see our 2026 VA disability pay rates page.

Correction — October 21, 2026: Replaced advice to skip pain medication before the exam with guidance to follow your clinician’s instructions, and explained that motion, pain, repeated use, and flare-ups are each assessed.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For personalized guidance on your VA disability claim, consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent. You can find accredited representatives at VA.gov.