What happens during a C&P exam for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip)?

Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) (DC 5019) is rated at 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019. DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 10°" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe trochanteric bursitis with secondary capsular contracture can rarely reach this tier.

Q: What rates 40% for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019 (DC 5019), a 40% rating for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) requires: DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 10°" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe trochanteric bursitis with secondary capsular contracture can rarely reach this tier.

Q: What rates 30% for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019 (DC 5019), a 30% rating for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) requires: DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 20°" = 30%; DC 5253 (combined) "Limitation of abduction, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%, combined per § 4.25 may reach 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Q: What rates 20% for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019 (DC 5019), a 20% rating for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) requires: DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 30°" = 20%; DC 5253 "Limitation of abduction, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252-5253.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.

Q: What rates 10% for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019 (DC 5019), a 10% rating for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) requires: DC 5251 "Extension limited to 5°" = 10%; DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 45°" = 10%; DC 5253 "Limitation of adduction, cannot cross legs" = 10% / "Limitation of rotation, cannot toe-out >15° affected leg" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback (hip is one major joint) with painful-motion / swelling / muscle-spasm objectively confirmed = 10%. ⚠ X-ray-only fallback NOT available per Note 2. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Q: What rates 0% for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019 (DC 5019), a 0% rating for Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) requires: Diagnosed trochanteric bursitis without compensable ROM under DC 5251/5252/5253 AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion / palpable tenderness over greater trochanter / Trendelenburg gait findings supporting the DC 5003 10% single-joint fallback.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 501938 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5019

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–40%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5019 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5019 across 5 severity tiers (40% / 30% / 20% / 10% / 0%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Chronic inflammation of the trochanteric bursa on the lateral hip causing pain with lying on the affected side and walking

Rating Criteria

40%

DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 10°" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe trochanteric bursitis with secondary capsular contracture can rarely reach this tier.

30%

DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 20°" = 30%; DC 5253 (combined) "Limitation of abduction, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%, combined per § 4.25 may reach 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

20%

DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 30°" = 20%; DC 5253 "Limitation of abduction, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252-5253.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.

10%

DC 5251 "Extension limited to 5°" = 10%; DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 45°" = 10%; DC 5253 "Limitation of adduction, cannot cross legs" = 10% / "Limitation of rotation, cannot toe-out >15° affected leg" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback (hip is one major joint) with painful-motion / swelling / muscle-spasm objectively confirmed = 10%. ⚠ X-ray-only fallback NOT available per Note 2. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Diagnosed trochanteric bursitis without compensable ROM under DC 5251/5252/5253 AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion / palpable tenderness over greater trochanter / Trendelenburg gait findings supporting the DC 5003 10% single-joint fallback.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

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Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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