Thigh, impairment of (DC 5253)

Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a

This diagnostic code covers problems with your thigh that affect how well your hip joint moves, specifically issues with moving your leg away from your body (abduction) or rotating your leg outward. The VA rates this condition at either 10% or 20% based on how much your range of motion is limited. A 20% rating means you've lost significant ability to move your leg away from your body, while a 10% rating means you can't rotate your leg outward normally when walking.

Rating levels

20% — You cannot move your thigh away from the center of your body (abduction) as much as you should be able to. Specifically, you've lost more than 10 degrees of this sideways hip movement compared to normal range of motion.
10% — You cannot move your thigh inward toward the center of your body (adduction is the medical term for this inward movement), which means you're unable to cross your legs when sitting. This limitation affects your ability to bring one leg over the other, whether sitting in a chair or lying down.
10% — You cannot turn your affected leg outward more than 15 degrees when standing. This limitation in rotating your thigh (turning your foot and leg away from your body's centerline) significantly restricts your normal range of motion compared to a healthy leg.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.