Limited hip extension
The VA rates Limited hip extension under Diagnostic Code 5251 at a single 10% level. 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: Thigh, limitation of extension of.
Rating schedule — DC 5251 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 10%
- Maximum rating
- 10%
- Rating tiers
- 1
- CFR section
- § 4.71a
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
10%
Where this code is published
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Limited hip extension?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Extension limited to 5° |
“Extension limited to 5°”
What other musculoskeletal conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Limited hip extension 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.
- 5240Ankylosing spondylitisRated up to 100%
- 5241Spinal fusionRated up to 100%
- 5243Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS)Rated up to 100%
- 5244Traumatic paralysis, completeRated up to 60%
- 5250Hip, ankylosis ofRated up to 70%
- 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%
- 5255Femur, impairment ofRated up to 80%
- 5256Knee, ankylosis ofRated up to 60%
What to do with a Limited hip extension 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.
Common Questions About Limited hip extension VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Limited hip extension?
The VA rates Limited hip extension under Diagnostic Code 5251 at 10%. The minimum 10% rating requires: Extension limited to 5°. The maximum 10% rating requires: Extension limited to 5°.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Limited hip extension?
The VA rates Limited hip extension under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5251, published in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
Can Limited hip extension qualify for TDIU?
Limited hip extension maxes at 10%, well below the single-disability TDIU threshold. However, combined with other service-connected disabilities, TDIU may be achievable under 38 CFR § 4.16. Focus on establishing secondary conditions to increase the combined rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Limited hip extension?
The key evidence for Limited hip extension 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 Limited hip extension?
The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5251 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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