Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ MUSC Hip and thigh
DC 5054 covers hip replacement with an artificial joint (prosthesis) and hip resurfacing. The VA assigns 100% for 4 months following the surgery; under Note (4) to the prosthetic implant codes that period starts after the one-month total rating under 38 CFR 4.30 that follows hospital discharge, so the total rating runs about 5 months in all. After that a replacement is rated 90% for painful motion or weakness so severe that crutches are needed, 70% for markedly severe residuals, 50% for moderately severe residuals, and 30% as the minimum for a total replacement; resurfacing has no minimum and is rated under DCs 5250 to 5255 (38 CFR 4.71a).
Rating levels
- 100% — If you have had hip replacement surgery or hip resurfacing surgery (a procedure where the damaged surfaces of the hip joint are replaced with metal coverings), you automatically qualify for this rating level for the first 4 months after your surgery. During this recovery period, you don't need to prove specific symptoms or limitations - the rating is given based on the major nature of the surgery and expected recovery time.
- 90% — You qualify for this rating level if you have a hip prosthesis (artificial hip joint) and experience pain when moving your hip or weakness in your leg that is severe enough that you need to use crutches to walk. The pain or weakness must be directly related to your hip replacement and be significant enough that you cannot walk safely or comfortably without crutch support.
- 70% — You qualify for this rating if you have a hip replacement or resurfacing surgery and experience very severe ongoing problems as a result. This includes significant weakness in your hip/leg, constant or frequent pain, or major difficulty moving your hip joint normally - problems that seriously interfere with your daily activities and mobility.
- 50% — You qualify for this rating if your hip replacement or resurfacing has left you with moderately severe ongoing problems that significantly impact your daily activities. This includes persistent pain that interferes with normal function, noticeable weakness in your hip and leg muscles, or substantial limitations in how well you can move your hip joint (such as difficulty bending, rotating, or bearing weight). These symptoms should be more than mild annoyances but not completely disabling.
- 30% — If you've had your entire hip joint surgically removed and replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis), you automatically qualify for this rating level as the minimum evaluation. This applies only to complete hip replacements, not partial procedures like hip resurfacing where only part of the joint is replaced.