Surgical replacement or resurfacing of the hip joint with an artificial implant.
Medical records documenting your surgery, including operative reports and discharge summaries, establish the date of implantation or resurfacing and support the 4-month 100% period. Records showing the date of hospital discharge and any prescription for permanent crutch use are relevant to when different rating periods begin and whether special monthly compensation applies.
After the 4-month period ends, the rating depends on the severity of remaining weakness, pain, and limited motion. VA examination findings that measure your hip's range of motion, muscle strength, and gait directly address the criteria at the 90%, 70%, 50%, and 30% levels. Imaging and treating-physician notes that describe ongoing pain and functional limits also support these levels.
Your own statements and those of people who know you can show how weakness or pain affects your ability to walk, stand, work, and perform daily tasks. If you use crutches, documentation of when that became permanent is relevant to the 90% level and to special monthly compensation.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
