Hip

What it is and how VA recognizes it: The VA treats a "hip condition" as a musculoskeletal disability and rates it under 38 CFR 4.71a, in the part of the rating schedule called "The Hip and Thigh." This covers things like hip arthritis, limited or painful motion, fractures of the upper femur, a fused hip (ankylosis), and hip replacement. To be service-connected, a claim generally needs three things: a current diagnosed hip problem, an in-service injury, event, or disease, and a medical link ("nexus") connecting the two. A hip problem can also be "secondary" service connection when it is caused or worsened by another service-connected condition, such as an altered gait from a bad knee or back.

The diagnostic code and what drives a higher percentage: Hip disabilities are rated under several diagnostic codes (DCs), and in general the rating goes up as motion gets more limited or the joint becomes more damaged. Limitation of thigh/hip motion is rated under DC 5251 (limited extension, 10%), DC 5252 (limited flexion, 10% up to 40%), and DC 5253 (impairment of the thigh, 10% or 20%). A fused hip (ankylosis) under DC 5250 ranges from 60% to 90%, a flail (unstable) hip joint under DC 5254 is 80%, and impairment of the femur under DC 5255 ranges up to 80%. For a hip replacement or resurfacing, DC 5054 currently assigns a 100% rating for 4 months following implantation of the prosthesis or resurfacing; after that period the hip is rated on its residuals — 90% (prosthesis with painful motion or weakness requiring crutches), 70% (markedly severe residuals), 50% (moderately severe residuals), with a minimum of 30% for a total replacement. (Note: before February 7, 2021, that initial 100% period was 1 year; VA shortened it to 4 months for DCs 5054 and 5055, so claims today follow the 4-month rule.)

Presumptive / exposure pathway: A general hip injury does not have its own toxic-exposure presumption under programs like Agent Orange, burn pits, Camp Lejeune, or the PACT Act. However, arthritis — a common cause of hip disability — is listed as a "chronic disease" under 38 CFR 3.309(a). Under 38 CFR 3.307, a chronic disease like arthritis can be presumed to be related to service (without separately proving the nexus) if the veteran served 90 days or more and the arthritis appeared to at least a compensable (10%) degree within one year after separation. If that one-year window does not apply, the hip condition can still be pursued through direct service connection or as a secondary condition.

This is general educational information about how the VA's rules work — not legal advice, a prediction about any claim, or a VA decision; a denial is a starting point that can be appealed, and a veterans service officer or accredited representative can help with your specific situation.