What rates 70% for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054 (DC 5054), a 70% rating for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) requires: DC 5054 verbatim — Markedly severe residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion following implantation of prosthesis: 70 percent.

What rates 50% for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054 (DC 5054), a 50% rating for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) requires: DC 5054 verbatim — Moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain or limitation of motion: 50 percent.

What happens during a C&P exam for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty)?

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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Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty)?

Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) (DC 5054) is rated at 100%, 90%, 70%, 50%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054. DC 5054 verbatim — For 4 months following implantation of prosthesis or resurfacing: 100 percent. Per Note (5), commences after the 1-month total rating under § 4.30 following hospital discharge (SHORTER than other joints — 4 months for hip/knee vs 1 year for shoulder/elbow/wrist/ankle). Footnote 1: SMC entitled during the 100% period.

Q: What rates 100% for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054 (DC 5054), a 100% rating for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) requires: DC 5054 verbatim — For 4 months following implantation of prosthesis or resurfacing: 100 percent. Per Note (5), commences after the 1-month total rating under § 4.30 following hospital discharge (SHORTER than other joints — 4 months for hip/knee vs 1 year for shoulder/elbow/wrist/ankle). Footnote 1: SMC entitled during the 100% period.

Q: What rates 90% for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054 (DC 5054), a 90% rating for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) requires: DC 5054 verbatim — Following implantation of prosthesis with painful motion or weakness such as to require the use of crutches: 90 percent.

Q: What rates 30% for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054 (DC 5054), a 30% rating for Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) requires: DC 5054 verbatim — Minimum evaluation, total replacement only: 30 percent. Per the NOTE: at the conclusion of the 100% evaluation period, evaluate RESURFACING (not total replacement) under DCs 5250 through 5255 — there is no minimum evaluation for resurfacing. Per Note (1), no additional § 4.71a rating for the same hip joint.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) 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 505438 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5054

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

30–100%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5054 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5054 across 5 severity tiers (100% / 90% / 70% / 50% / 30%). 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

Prosthetic replacement of the hip joint (total or partial hip arthroplasty) with residual pain and functional limitations

Rating Criteria

100%

DC 5054 verbatim — For 4 months following implantation of prosthesis or resurfacing: 100 percent. Per Note (5), commences after the 1-month total rating under § 4.30 following hospital discharge (SHORTER than other joints — 4 months for hip/knee vs 1 year for shoulder/elbow/wrist/ankle). Footnote 1: SMC entitled during the 100% period.

90%

DC 5054 verbatim — Following implantation of prosthesis with painful motion or weakness such as to require the use of crutches: 90 percent.

70%

DC 5054 verbatim — Markedly severe residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion following implantation of prosthesis: 70 percent.

50%

DC 5054 verbatim — Moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain or limitation of motion: 50 percent.

30%

DC 5054 verbatim — Minimum evaluation, total replacement only: 30 percent. Per the NOTE: at the conclusion of the 100% evaluation period, evaluate RESURFACING (not total replacement) under DCs 5250 through 5255 — there is no minimum evaluation for resurfacing. Per Note (1), no additional § 4.71a rating for the same hip joint.

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.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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