Femur impairment
The VA rates Femur impairment under Diagnostic Code 5255 across 2 severity levels, from 60% to 80%. The applicable level depends on the full criteria and the evidence for the condition. These percentages are alternatives, not amounts to add together.
Catalog name: Femur, impairment of.
Rating schedule — DC 5255 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 60%
- Maximum rating
- 80%
- Rating tiers
- 2
- CFR section
- § 4.71a
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
60%, 80%
Where this code is published
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Femur impairment?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | With nonunion, without loose motion, weight bearing preserved with aid of brace |
| 80% | With nonunion, with loose motion (spiral or oblique fracture) |
“With nonunion, with loose motion (spiral or oblique fracture)”
What other musculoskeletal conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Femur impairment in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 5250Hip, ankylosis ofRated up to 70%
- 5251Thigh, limitation of extension ofRated up to 10%
- 5252Limitation of Flexion of the Thigh (Hip)Rated up to 40%
- 5253Impairment of the Thigh (Hip Rotation/Adduction)Rated up to 20%
- 5254Hip, flail jointRated up to 80%
- 5256Knee, ankylosis ofRated up to 60%
- 5257Knee, other impairment ofRated up to 30%
- 5258Cartilage, semilunar, dislocated, with frequent episodes of “locking,” pain, and effusion into the jointRated up to 20%
- 5259Cartilage, semilunar, removal of, symptomaticRated up to 10%
- 5260Leg, limitation of flexion ofRated up to 30%
What to do with a Femur impairment rating
The tools, regulations and guides that pick up where the criteria above leave off.
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- The VA C&P Exam Explained: Before, During, and AfterA VA C&P exam helps VA decide service connection and your rating. Here is what happens before, during, and after, plus how to request your exam report.
- VA Service Connection Evidence 101: The Three-Legged StoolFor an original claim tied to active-duty service, VA needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a link between them. Here is what each part takes.
- VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really WorkVA ratings do not add. Learn how 38 CFR 4.25 combines disabilities using whole-person efficiency, why 50 and 30 round to 70, and how the bilateral factor works.
- TDIU: 100 Percent VA Pay Without a 100 Percent RatingTDIU pays the 100% VA compensation rate without a 100% rating. See the percentage paths, the extraschedular route under 38 CFR 4.16(b), and how work affects it.
Common Questions About Femur impairment VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Femur impairment?
The VA rates Femur impairment under Diagnostic Code 5255 at 60%, 80%. The minimum 60% rating requires: With nonunion, without loose motion, weight bearing preserved with aid of brace. The maximum 80% rating requires: With nonunion, with loose motion (spiral or oblique fracture).
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Femur impairment?
The VA rates Femur impairment under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5255, published in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 60% and a 80% rating for Femur impairment?
A 60% rating requires: With nonunion, without loose motion, weight bearing preserved with aid of brace. A 80% rating requires: With nonunion, with loose motion (spiral or oblique fracture). The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Femur impairment qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 80% rating for Femur impairment alone meets the single-disability threshold for TDIU (38 CFR § 4.16). If the condition prevents substantially gainful employment, the veteran is compensated at the 100% rate without a schedular 100% rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Femur impairment?
The key evidence for Femur impairment is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. For musculoskeletal conditions, range of motion measurements (active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing per Correia v. McDonald) and flare-up documentation are critical. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Femur impairment?
The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5255 rating criteria. Expect range of motion testing in multiple positions. Under Correia v. McDonald, the examiner must test active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing range of motion. Report your worst flare-up symptoms — if you cannot attend during a flare, request the exam be rescheduled.
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