VA Rating for Hip Pain Secondary to Knee Problems

Knee pain is one of the most common health issues among veterans. From wearing unsupportive shoes to carrying around bulky rucksacks and doing heavy lifting, the knees take on a lot of stress during military service. From boot camp onward, veterans are prone to knee injuries. Unfortunately, these knee problems can later lead to pain and damage in other parts of the body, including the hips.

Veterans may qualify for VA disability for hip pain secondary to knee conditions if a service-connected knee problem causes or worsens their hip pain. This article explains VA ratings for hip pain secondary to knee conditions and related injuries.

Knee and hip problems in veterans

When your knee is unstable, stiff, or painful, you may change the way you walk or stand, which can put extra stress on your hips. Knee issues can also cause misalignment in other joints, increasing pressure and causing those joints to compensate. Over time, this added strain can lead to hip pain, a common issue that affects about 10% of adults.

Knee problems can lead to hip issues in different ways. Sometimes, they affect the ligaments, muscles, or tendons near the outside of your hip. Other times, knee issues can cause problems deeper in the hip, such as with the bones or cartilage, leading to conditions like arthritis. Hip problems may even cause pain that radiates into your lower back.

Veterans may qualify for VA disability benefits for hip pain secondary to knee conditions when a service-connected knee problem causes or aggravates hip issues. This type of claim is called a secondary service connection, meaning the VA considers hip pain a consequence of an already service-connected knee condition, rather than a direct result of military service alone.

VA ratings for knee problems

The VA rates most knee pain and conditions using the Schedule of Ratings for the musculoskeletal system.

Many knee ratings are based on range of motion. The VA measures how far a veteran can bend their knee (flexion) and how far they can straighten it (extension). The greater the pain or reduced mobility in the knee, the higher the rating. VA ratings based on a limited range of motion in the knee span from 0% to 60% and are determined using diagnostic codes 5256 through 5261.

The VA also rates muscular injuries that affect flexion and extension of the knee. The ratings are 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% and are evaluated using the VA’s definition of slight, moderate, moderately severe, and severe disabilities of the muscle. 

Veterans may also qualify for a knee pain VA rating for a number of other issues, including conditions like arthritis and osteomyelitis, dislocation, or after knee replacement surgery. For more information about how the VA rates different knee problems, check out this blog post.

VA ratings for hip pain

The VA also uses the Schedule of Ratings for the musculoskeletal system to rate hip conditions. Using diagnostic codes 5250-5255, the VA will assign a rating from 10% to 90% depending on limitation of the hip’s range of motion.

For muscle problems in the hip, the VA will use the Schedule of Ratings for muscle injuries of the pelvic girdle and thigh to assign a rating between 0% to 50% depending on severity. 

Other conditions like arthritis and bursitis can also lead to hip pain. To learn more about how the VA rates hip pain and related conditions, click here. 

VA disability for hip pain secondary to knee problems

Many causes of hip pain may be the result of a knee problem or injury incurred in service. Below we discuss some of the hip conditions that may be secondary to service-connected knee issues, how the two problems may be connected, and how the VA rates them.

Arthritis and bursitis

Arthritis causes joint pain and inflammation. If you have arthritis in your hips, you’ll likely experience pain, swelling, and stiffness in your hip joints.

Bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sacs, known as bursa sacs, become inflamed. This inflammation causes your hips to hurt when you move.

The VA evaluates bursitis and degenerative arthritis using diagnostic code 5003, which allows for a 10% or 20% rating based on which joints are affected and whether there are any incapacitating exacerbations.

When a veteran’s condition is more severe than the diagnostic criteria under 5003 allow for, the VA may instead give a rating based on limitation of motion at the joint. As we mentioned above, limitation of motion in the hip can be assigned a rating between 0% to 90%. 

Ankylosis

Ankylosis refers to stiffness of a joint due to injury or disease. Ankylosis of the hip may be complete or partial and is often the result of inflammation on or around the joint.

The VA rates ankylosis of the hip using diagnostic code 5250 in the Schedule of Ratings.

Hip surgery

Hip issues, if severe enough, could lead to the need for hip surgery. The VA rates hip replacements and hip resurfacing under diagnostic code 5054. Veterans who undergo hip replacement surgery for a service-connected condition may qualify for a temporary 100% disability rating during recovery. After that, the VA will reevaluate the condition, and any residual hip issues will be rated based on limited range of motion.

The bilateral factor

Pain in the hip or knee (or both) can cause a veteran to rely more on their stronger side, which sometimes leads to joint and muscle problems in the opposite leg. When both hips or both knees are affected by a service-connected condition, the VA may apply what’s called the bilateral factor. This rule provides a higher disability rating by using VA math.  The rating for the right side and for the left side will be combined as usual, but 10% of this value will be added to the final rating.

As a result, veterans with issues on both sides of their bodies, such as bilateral hip strain or knee pain, may receive greater overall compensation.

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TDIU for hip and knee problems

In some cases, a veteran may be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for knee and hip issues.

TDIU is also known as individual unemployability or simply IU. Veterans are eligible for these benefits if they can’t hold down “substantially gainful” employment due to their service-connected conditions.

Veterans who receive TDIU benefits are compensated at the same level as those with a 100% disability rating, even though their combined rating is below 100%.

Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:

• At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
• Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more

How Woods & Woods can help

Woods & Woods has been fighting for people with injuries and disabilities since 1985. Our team of accredited VA disability lawyers, case managers, legal analysts, and intake specialists know the ins and outs of the VA so you don’t have to do all the hard work. Call us today for your free and confidential case evaluation.

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