Diagnostic Code 5255: Hip. Impairment of Femur Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Rating range
- 60% to 80%
- Rating levels
- 2
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal system
The VA rates Hip. Impairment of Femur under diagnostic code 5255 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 5255 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Fracture of shaft or anatomical neck of femur, with nonunion, without loose motion, weight bearing preserved with aid of brace; or fracture of surgical neck of femur, with false joint What raters look fornonunion without loose motion; weight bearing preserved with aid of brace; surgical neck fracture with false joint |
| 80% | Fracture of shaft or anatomical neck of femur, with nonunion, with loose motion (spiral or oblique fracture) What raters look fornonunion with loose motion; spiral or oblique fracture |
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Hip Condition. The Hip Condition condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Hip Condition appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 32,908 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Hip Condition, 2021 to 2026. The Hip Condition condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Hip Condition appeals generally rather than DC 5255 specifically. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 5255?
Diagnostic code 5255 is the VA rating schedule entry for Hip. Impairment of Femur, found in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 5255?
DC 5255 provides ratings of 60%, 80%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 5255 require?
The 80% rating for Hip. Impairment of Femur requires: Fracture of shaft or anatomical neck of femur, with nonunion, with loose motion (spiral or oblique fracture).
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