What rates 40% for Fibromyalgia under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025 (DC 5025), a 40% rating for Fibromyalgia requires: Symptoms as above that are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy. 40% is the maximum schedular rating.

What secondary conditions are linked to Fibromyalgia?

Common secondary conditions for Fibromyalgia include Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Insomnia, IBS. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Fibromyalgia?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Fibromyalgia

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (DC 5025) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025. Widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, paresthesias, headache, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud-like symptoms, that require continuous medication for control.

Q: What rates 10% for Fibromyalgia under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025 (DC 5025), a 10% rating for Fibromyalgia requires: Widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, paresthesias, headache, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud-like symptoms, that require continuous medication for control.

Q: What rates 20% for Fibromyalgia under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025 (DC 5025), a 20% rating for Fibromyalgia requires: Symptoms as above that are episodic, with exacerbations often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress or by overexertion, but that are present more than one-third of the time.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Fibromyalgia VA claim?

Key evidence for a Fibromyalgia claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 502538 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5025

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

10–40%

3 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Fibromyalgia is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5025 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025 across 3 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 40%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Major Depressive Disorder or Anxiety Disorder under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain with tender points, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive difficulties (fibro fog). VA rates fibromyalgia under DC 5025 (38 CFR 4.71a), with the percentage keyed to whether symptoms require continuous medication, are episodic and present more than one-third of the time, or are constant and refractory to therapy. Gulf War veterans may qualify presumptively.

Rating Criteria

10%

Widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, paresthesias, headache, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud-like symptoms, that require continuous medication for control.

20%

Symptoms as above that are episodic, with exacerbations often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress or by overexertion, but that are present more than one-third of the time.

40%

Symptoms as above that are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy. 40% is the maximum schedular rating.

Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Secondary Conditions

Major Depressive DisorderMODERATE

Chronic widespread pain causes depression

Anxiety DisorderMODERATE

Chronic unpredictable pain causes anxiety

Chronic Fatigue SyndromeMODERATE

Overlapping conditions with shared pathophysiology

InsomniaMODERATE

Pain disrupts sleep; non-restorative sleep worsens symptoms

IBSMODERATE

Central sensitization affects gut function

MigrainesMODERATE

Shared central sensitization pathways

TMJ DisorderMODERATE

Widespread pain includes jaw dysfunction

Interstitial CystitisMODERATE

Central sensitization affects bladder

Cognitive DysfunctionMODERATE

Fibro fog affects concentration and memory

Restless Leg SyndromeMODERATE

Central nervous system dysfunction

Raynauds PhenomenonMODERATE

Dysautonomia affects peripheral circulation

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Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a (Musculoskeletal system). Source verified 2026-06-16 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.71a on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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