EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Fibromyalgia
DC 5025 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025 |
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 (40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis / 20% -- Moderate limitation / 10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion). 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.
OVERVIEW
Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive difficulty, and mood issues. Classified as an immune/central sensitization disorder. A qualifying condition for Gulf War illness claims.
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis
Severe limitation of motion or ankylosis of the affected joint. Specific percentages depend on the joint and whether dominant/non-dominant.
20% -- Moderate limitation
Moderate limitation of motion with significant functional impairment. DeLuca factors may increase the effective rating.
10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion
Mild limitation of motion, or X-ray evidence of arthritis with painful motion under DC 5003.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-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
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (11 MAPPED)
DC
Chronic widespread pain causes depression
DC
Chronic unpredictable pain causes anxiety
DC
Overlapping conditions with shared pathophysiology
DC
Pain disrupts sleep; non-restorative sleep worsens symptoms
DC
Central sensitization affects gut function
DC
Shared central sensitization pathways
DC
Widespread pain includes jaw dysfunction
DC
Central sensitization affects bladder
DC
Fibro fog affects concentration and memory
DC
Central nervous system dysfunction
DC
Dysautonomia affects peripheral circulation
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026