Hip — VA Rating Guide

The rating ladder

What the VA looks for at each percentage.

How to describe it (and win the rating)

• Describe your worst days honestly — flare-ups matter. VA must consider additional functional loss during flares and after repetitive use, not just your best-day range of motion.
• Explain specific functional limits: how far you can bend the hip, whether you can cross your legs, toe-out, put on shoes/socks, or get in and out of a car.
• Note pain, weakness, fatigue, and lack of coordination during movement — and at what point in the motion pain begins.
• Report how many flare-ups you have, how long they last, and what they prevent you from doing.
• Mention any assistive devices (cane, walker) and how often you rely on them.
• Do not exaggerate; describe a typical bad day accurately so the exam reflects real-world impairment, not a single snapshot.

Evidence that helps

• Service treatment records documenting the in-service hip injury, event, or onset
• Current VA or private medical records showing diagnosis and treatment of the hip condition
• X-ray, MRI, or CT imaging confirming arthritis, joint damage, or structural impairment
• Goniometer range-of-motion measurements (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation)
• Nexus/medical opinion linking the hip condition to service (for direct or secondary claims)
• VA Form 21-4138 statement or lay statements describing symptoms, flare-ups, and functional impact
• Records of assistive devices prescribed (cane, walker, brace)
• Documentation of any prior surgery, joint replacement, or planned procedures

Next steps

Related conditions & secondary claims

Conditions medically linked to Hip — each can be worth a separate or secondary claim:

• Knee — An altered gait from a service-connected knee condition commonly leads to a secondary hip claim.
• Lumbar spine — Hip and low-back conditions frequently aggravate one another.

Common questions

What is the VA disability rating for hip?

The VA rates hip under 38 CFR diagnostic code 5251. The rating tiers are: 10% — DC 5251: Thigh, limitation of extension, extension limited to 5 degrees. — OR — DC 5252: Thigh, limitation of flexion, flexion limited to 45 degrees. — OR — DC 5253: Thigh, impairment of, limitation of rotation, cannot toe-out more than 15 degrees, affected leg; OR limitation of adduction, cannot cross legs.; 20% — DC 5252: Thigh, limitation of flexion, flexion limited to 30 degrees. — OR — DC 5253: Thigh, impairment of, limitation of abduction, motion lost beyond 10 degrees.; 30% — DC 5252: Thigh, limitation of flexion, flexion limited to 20 degrees.; 40% — DC 5252: Thigh, limitation of flexion, flexion limited to 10 degrees.. Your exact percentage depends on the severity documented in your records and C&P exam.

How much VA disability compensation is hip?

Monthly pay depends on your assigned rating percentage and your dependents, not the condition alone. Hip can be rated from 10% to 40%. Use the free US Vet Help disability calculator for your exact 2026 monthly amount.

What evidence do I need for a hip VA claim?

Evidence that helps includes: Service treatment records documenting the in-service hip injury, event, or onset; Current VA or private medical records showing diagnosis and treatment of the hip condition; X-ray, MRI, or CT imaging confirming arthritis, joint damage, or structural impairment; Goniometer range-of-motion measurements (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation); Nexus/medical opinion linking the hip condition to service (for direct or secondary claims); VA Form 21-4138 statement or lay statements describing symptoms, flare-ups, and functional impact; Records of assistive devices prescribed (cane, walker, brace); Documentation of any prior surgery, joint replacement, or planned procedures.

How do I get the correct rating for hip?

To be rated accurately: Describe your worst days honestly — flare-ups matter. VA must consider additional functional loss during flares and after repetitive use, not just your best-day range of motion.; Explain specific functional limits: how far you can bend the hip, whether you can cross your legs, toe-out, put on shoes/socks, or get in and out of a car.; Note pain, weakness, fatigue, and lack of coordination during movement — and at what point in the motion pain begins.; Report how many flare-ups you have, how long they last, and what they prevent you from doing.; Mention any assistive devices (cane, walker) and how often you rely on them.; Do not exaggerate; describe a typical bad day accurately so the exam reflects real-world impairment, not a single snapshot..