The life of a soldier inherently invites physical exertion and wear-and-tear injuries. These in-service events can cause significant hip pain and sometimes lead to chronic disability.
If you are experiencing hip pain and served in the military, it is important to understand how you may be able to receive service-connected VA Disability benefits for your hip pain.
In various causes, hip pain may impact your ability to work or live life normally.
Our VA disability team wrote this guide to take you through some of the most common causes of hip pain and help you understand how to get VA disability for hip pain.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
There are many different causes of hip pain, but some are more common than others. Here are a few of the most common causes of hip pain:
- Arthritis: Arthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the hip joint breaks down, causing the bones to rub against each other. This can cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
- Trochanteric bursitis: Trochanteric bursitis is a type of bursitis that causes pain on the outside of the hip. It is often caused by overuse or repetitive motions.
- Fractures: Hip fractures are most common in older adults. A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the thighbone (femur) that affects the hip joint. Hip fractures can be caused by falls or other trauma.
- Hip Labral tear: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the hip joint. A tear in the labrum can cause pain, clicking, or catching in the hip joint.
Can you get VA Disability for Hip Pain?
If you are a veteran with hip pain, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits.
To receive VA disability benefits for hip pain, you must first have a diagnosis from a medical professional.
You will also need to show that your hip pain is related to your military service.
This can be done by showing that your hip pain began during military service, or that it was caused by an injury or event that occurred during military service.
If you have a diagnosis of hip pain and can show that it is related to your military service, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits.
How to prove VA service connection for hip pain
So to recap, in order to prove service connection for hip pain, you must demonstrate the following three items:
- A medical diagnosis of hip pain
- An event that occurred in service that led to your hip pain, whether it’s an illness or injury.
- A connection between your diagnosed hip pain and your incident or event in-service
How much is VA disability for hip pain?
Hip pain is rated interestingly by VA; I’ll explain…
Because hip pain can be caused by various bodily injuries or issues, the VA rating for hip pain will depend on its cause and pain levels.
For example, if your hip pain stems from ankylosis, you could be eligible for a 60%, a 70%, or even a 90% schedular disability rating.
If you pursue TDIU benefits, you may even receive 100 percent VA compensation through Individual Unemployability. For more on TDIU, go here.
Ankylosis Hip Pain VA Disability Ratings
Ankylosis VA ratings are classified under Diagnostic Code 5250. This describes ankylosis as a fusion of the bones causing abnormal stiffness and immobility.
As mentioned earlier, ankylosis-caused hip pain starts at 60% and can be rated up to 90% disability rating for hip pain.
Hip replacement Hip pain VA rating
VA rates hip replacements under 38 CFR § 4.71a, as follows:
- 100% – for four months following implantation of prosthesis or resurfacing
- 90% – following implantation of prosthesis with painful motion or weakness such as to require the use of crutches
- 70% – markedly severe residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion following implantation of prosthesis
- 50% – moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain or limitation of motion
- 30% – minimum rating, total replacement only
The VA disability rating for hip replacement patients begins with a total hip replacement disability rating for one year following the hip replacement surgery.
If you did not receive a VA hospital hip replacement, you will need to file a claim within one year of the surgery to receive the temporary 100% VA disability rating.
A year after surgery, a new rating is assigned based on the condition of the hip examination that takes place.
All hip replacements are rated at least 30% disability irrespective of the effect on the veteran. Even if the veteran is fully recovered and pain free, a 30% rating is still assigned.
However, if the veteran experiences pain or ROM limitations one year after surgery, they can receive a higher VA rating.
If pain, weakness or limitation on ROM forces the veteran to use crutches or other mobility aids, a 90% rating is assigned.
Can you get TDIU for hip pain?
Yes, some hip pain causes and ratings could make a veteran eligible for TDIU.
Also known as Individual Unemployability, TDIU benefits are available to veterans who are unable to work due to their service-connected disabilities.
To be eligible for TDIU benefits, you must show that your service-connected hip pain prevents you from working and/or maintaining a job long-term.
Have Questions About the Claims Process or Appealing a Decision?
The attorneys at Hill & Ponton are here to support you in your claim for disability benefits for hip pain. If you are intending to appeal a denied claim, you can contact us for an evaluation.
