What rates 30% for Hip Labral Tear under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 (DC 5252), a 30% rating for Hip Labral Tear requires: DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 20°" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.)

What happens during a C&P exam for Hip Labral Tear?

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 Labral Tear

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Hip Labral Tear?

Hip Labral Tear (DC 5252) is rated at 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252. DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 10°" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe labral tear with secondary capsular contracture rarely reaches this tier; usually warrants surgical intervention.

Q: What rates 40% for Hip Labral Tear under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 (DC 5252), a 40% rating for Hip Labral Tear requires: DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 10°" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe labral tear with secondary capsular contracture rarely reaches this tier; usually warrants surgical intervention.

Q: What rates 20% for Hip Labral Tear under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 (DC 5252), a 20% rating for Hip Labral Tear requires: DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 30°" = 20%; DC 5253 "Thigh, impairment of: Limitation of abduction of, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252-5253.)

Q: What rates 10% for Hip Labral Tear under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 (DC 5252), a 10% rating for Hip Labral Tear requires: DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 45°" = 10%; DC 5251 "Thigh, limitation of extension of: Extension limited to 5°" = 10%; DC 5253 "Limitation of adduction, cannot cross legs" = 10% OR "Limitation of rotation, cannot toe-out more than 15° affected leg" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-major-joint fallback with painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm = 10%; OR — DC 5003 X-ray-only "2+ major joints" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Q: What rates 0% for Hip Labral Tear under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 (DC 5252), a 0% rating for Hip Labral Tear requires: Diagnosed labral tear (MRA-confirmed) without compensable ROM under DC 5251/5252/5253 AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion / mechanical-symptoms findings supporting the DC 5003 10% single-joint fallback.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Hip Labral Tear VA claim?

Key evidence for a Hip Labral Tear 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 525238 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5252

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–40%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Hip Labral Tear is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5252 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5252 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

Tear of the labrum (cartilage ring) in the acetabular socket of the hip, causing clicking, catching, and limited motion

Rating Criteria

40%

DC 5252 "Thigh, limitation of flexion of: Flexion limited to 10°" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.) Severe labral tear with secondary capsular contracture rarely reaches this tier; usually warrants surgical intervention.

30%

DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 20°" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252.)

20%

DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 30°" = 20%; DC 5253 "Thigh, impairment of: Limitation of abduction of, motion lost beyond 10°" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5252-5253.)

10%

DC 5252 "Flexion limited to 45°" = 10%; DC 5251 "Thigh, limitation of extension of: Extension limited to 5°" = 10%; DC 5253 "Limitation of adduction, cannot cross legs" = 10% OR "Limitation of rotation, cannot toe-out more than 15° affected leg" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-major-joint fallback with painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm = 10%; OR — DC 5003 X-ray-only "2+ major joints" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Diagnosed labral tear (MRA-confirmed) without compensable ROM under DC 5251/5252/5253 AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion / mechanical-symptoms 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.

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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