Hip, flail joint

As reported in the VA's most recent final report, musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly claimed condition in the VA disability benefits system, accounting for 36.9 percent of all disability claims. This is not surprising given the physicality required for many military jobs. Because of their duties, soldiers and veterans are inherently more susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders than the general population. The area affected by this disorder is the hip because mainly the development of this disorder is shown in the hip area.

Some musculoskeletal disorders like hip flail joint, degenerative arthritis, osteomyelitis, Tuberculosis of bones and joints, Fibromyalgia, hip subluxation, and more for which the VA has developed programmed disability rating criteria are explained below.

If the veteran develops the condition, these conditions are primarily subject to VA disability compensation due to military service. Access to financial compensation is essential because of the severe limitations these conditions can place on veterans, such as impairing a person's ability to work or participate in daily activities.

Service Connection Of Hip Condition

Essential information veterans can provide when contacting the hip disorder service connection is their medical records.

Hopefully, these medical records should include a doctor's visit diagnosing the veteran with a hip problem while in the military or at least a history of symptoms associated with a hip problem while on duty, even if no formal diagnosis was made at the time. The senior should also provide specific medical records of their hip condition from the onset of symptoms to the present. Additional valuable evidence may include any records of duty personnel showing an association between a hip condition and an on-duty event that may have caused or contributed to the development of the situation.

How Does The VA Assess Hip Conditions?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, the VA evaluates musculoskeletal disorders. The following diagnostic codes determine the degree of VA disability for hip problems like the hip flail joint.

Diagnosis Code 5000: osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic:

• 100 - extension to the pelvis, vertebrae, or major joints, or with multiple sites or a history of prolonged persistence and weakness, anemia, amyloid liver changes, or other persistent structural symptoms
• 60 - frequent attacks with constitutional symptoms
• 30 - with definitive involucrum or sequestrum, with or without sinus drainage
• 20 - with evidence of sinus discharge or other active infection within the last five years
• 10 - inactive after recurrent episodes with no evidence of active infection in the last five years

Diagnostic Code 5254: hip flail joint - 80

Diagnosis Code 5054: hip, resurfacing or replacement (prosthesis):

• 100 – 4 months after prosthesis implantation or surface replacement

Replacement of the femoral or acetabular head with a prosthesis:

• 90 - painful movement or weakness requiring the use of crutches after fitting the prosthesis
• 70 - significantly severe residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion after implantation of the prosthesis
• 50 - remnants of moderate to extreme weakness, pain, or restriction of movement
• 30 - minimum rating, complete replacement only

Diagnosis Code 5002: multi-joint arthritis (except traumatic and gout), two or more joints as active process:

• 100 - wholly inadequate, with constitutional manifestations associated with active joint participation
• Anemia is less than 60-100 % of the criteria, but weight loss and severe impairment or severe debilitating exacerbations occur four or more times per year or less for extended periods.
• 40 - combinations of definite health impairments, objectively documented by examination findings or documented by insufficient bad situation occurring three or more times per year
• 20 – one or two bad situations per year with a confirmed diagnosis

Diagnosis code 5250: hip, ankylosis :

• 90 – negative, extremely unfavorable ankylosis, the foot does not touch the ground, the need for crutches
• 70 - medium
• 60 - adequate, with flexion at an angle of 20° to 40° and slight adduction or abduction

Diagnosis Code 5025: fibromyalgia (fibrositis, primary fibromyalgia syndrome)

Paresthesia, headache, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud-like symptoms associated with joint musculoskeletal pain and tender points:

• 40 - these are fixed or near and resistant to therapy
• 20 - episodic, with flare-ups usually triggered by environmental or emotional stress or overexertion but occurring more than a third of the time
• 10 - conditions requiring continuous medication for control

There are several other hip-related conditions for which the VA will provide compensation in addition to those listed above. For veterans who do not list their status here, please see 38 CFR § 4.71 if your status qualifies for service connection.

FAQS

What is the hip flail joint?

A hip flail joint is a joint with a loss of function resulting from a failure of the ability to stabilize the joint in any plane within its normal range of motion.

What type of joint is the hip?

The hip joint is like a ball and socket joint that enables us to move and provides the stability needed to support our body weight.