VA Disability Rating for Hip Labral Tear & FAI: DC 5250-5255 Complete Guide (2026)

Hip Anatomy and Why Military Service Damages It

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the femoral head (ball) fitting into the acetabulum (socket). Surrounding the rim of the acetabulum is the acetabular labrum — a ring of fibrocartilage that deepens the socket, stabilizes the joint, and seals synovial fluid. When the labrum tears, it produces groin pain, a clicking or catching sensation, and reduced hip internal rotation.

Military service damages the hip through several well-documented mechanisms:

• Heavy load bearing: Rucksack loads (60–120 lbs) combined with downhill marching and uneven terrain place significant compressive and shear forces on the hip joint, wearing the labrum and cartilage
• Parachute landings: Impact forces from PLFs are transmitted through the hip joint, causing acute labral injury and femoral head stress fractures in extreme cases
• Repeated squatting and kneeling: Infantry and combat operations positions require repeated deep hip flexion that, combined with FAI morphology, causes progressive labral damage
• Direct trauma: Falls from vehicles, combat injuries, training accidents
• Vibration: Sustained vehicle vibration in constrained seated positions with hip flexion

DC 5250-5255: Hip Rating Codes Overview

For hip labral tears and FAI, the most applicable codes are typically DC 5251 (limited flexion) and DC 5252 (limitation of adduction/abduction), since these conditions primarily restrict hip internal rotation, adduction, and flexion. If the hip has progressed to ankylosis (typically from advanced osteoarthritis or surgical fusion), DC 5250 applies.

How VA Rates Hip Labral Tears

VA does not have a specific diagnostic code for "hip labral tear" — rather, the labral tear is rated based on its functional consequences. The two primary functional limitations from a labral tear are:

1. Pain with ROM: The painful motion rule (38 CFR § 4.59) ensures any painful hip motion is compensable at the minimum rating level, even if ROM appears relatively preserved
2. ROM restriction: Labral tears restrict hip flexion and internal rotation, rated under DC 5251 or 5252

A hip labral tear that causes significant ROM restriction and pain in a veteran who can demonstrate military service as the cause can qualify for ratings of 10–30% depending on the degree of limitation. Combined with the painful motion rule and any hip arthritis that develops secondarily, the overall hip rating can be meaningful.

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) in VA Claims

FAI is a structural condition where the femoral head (cam impingement — abnormal bone growth on the femoral head) or the acetabular rim (pincer impingement — excessive overhang) causes abnormal contact during hip movement. This repetitive abnormal contact damages the labrum and articular cartilage.

For VA purposes, FAI is relevant in two ways:

• Direct service connection: Military activities can cause or accelerate FAI through repetitive loading patterns that damage the labrum directly. A nexus letter from an orthopedic surgeon can document this
• Aggravation: If the veteran had a predisposition to FAI (from skeletal anatomy), military service activities materially aggravated the condition by causing the labral damage that results from impingement

Hip ROM Tables and Ratings

Normal hip range of motion values under 38 CFR § 4.71a:

DC 5251 — Limitation of Flexion of the Thigh:

DC 5252 — Limitation of Adduction or Abduction:

Internal rotation limitation — commonly the most restricted motion in FAI and labral tears — is captured under the combined ROM picture rather than a specific DC. Document internal rotation restriction explicitly in the nexus letter and C&P exam, as it contributes to the overall functional limitation picture even when flexion ratings appear modest.

Ankylosis of the Hip — DC 5250

In severe cases — advanced osteoarthritis following longstanding labral damage and cartilage loss, or following failed hip surgery — the hip may progress to ankylosis (fusion in a fixed position). DC 5250 rates ankylosis as follows:

For veterans with severe hip arthritis progressing toward ankylosis, or those who have had failed hip surgeries, DC 5250 may produce significantly higher ratings than ROM-based codes.

Post-Surgical Ratings: Arthroscopy, Hip Replacement

Hip Arthroscopy (Labral Repair, FAI Correction)

After hip arthroscopy for labral repair or FAI correction, VA rates post-surgical residuals. If the surgery resolved the labral tear but ROM remains partially restricted and painful, the residual functional limitation is rated. Many veterans find ROM improves after arthroscopy but does not return to normal — the residual restriction remains rateable.

Total Hip Replacement (THR)

A 100% rating applies for one year following total hip replacement (arthroplasty). After one year, VA re-evaluates under DC 5054 (prosthetic replacement of the hip joint), which assigns ratings based on painful motion, marked limitation, or moderate limitation of the replaced joint:

Hip Conditions Secondary to Back or Knee Conditions

Hip labral tears and hip arthritis can develop as secondary conditions to service-connected lumbar spine or knee conditions. When gait is altered due to back pain or knee instability, the hip absorbs abnormal forces that accelerate labral damage and cartilage wear.

To establish a secondary hip claim under 38 CFR § 3.310:

• Document the service-connected primary condition (spine or knee) and its rating decision
• Obtain medical opinion stating the gait alteration from the SC condition places abnormal stress on the hip
• Document that the abnormal hip loading has caused or materially aggravated the hip condition
• Provide current hip diagnosis (labral tear, arthritis) from imaging or clinical evaluation

This secondary pathway is particularly valuable for veterans whose back conditions are already service-connected and who have developed hip problems that seem unrelated — the connection through gait compensation is medically well-established and VA-recognized.

Service Connection Strategy for Hip Labral Tears

A successful hip labral tear claim requires:

• Current diagnosis: MRI confirming labral tear (arthrogram MRI is gold standard for labral evaluation); clinical diagnosis with positive FABER, FADIR, or log roll test
• In-service event or activities: Service records documenting heavy load bearing (MOS, rucksack weights, physical training), parachute operations (jump log), direct hip trauma, or any in-service hip complaints or profiles
• Nexus letter: Orthopedic specialist stating it is at least as likely as not that military service activities caused or materially aggravated the hip labral tear — specifically addressing the mechanism (repetitive loading, impingement, direct trauma)
• ROM documentation: Current measurement of all hip motion planes, with notation of pain during any movement

C&P Exam Tips for Hip Conditions

• Bring imaging: MRI arthrogram showing labral tear, X-rays showing FAI morphology or degenerative changes
• Report groin pain location specifically: Anterior groin pain is the classic labral tear presentation — be specific about where it hurts
• Describe the clicking or catching: Labral tears often produce a clicking, catching, or giving way sensation — document this symptom explicitly
• Report pain during every ROM movement: Painful motion rule (38 CFR § 4.59) — every movement that hurts should be verbalized
• Describe internal rotation specifically: "When you rotate my hip inward, that's the most painful movement" — internal rotation restriction is pathognomonic for labral/FAI conditions
• Describe functional impact: Difficulty climbing stairs, sitting for extended periods, getting in/out of car, sleeping on the affected side
• Mention both hips if bilateral: Request bilateral examination if both hips are affected