What rates 10% for Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025 (DC 5025), a 10% rating for Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) requires: With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points (with the same listed associated symptoms) — that require continuous medication for control.

What happens during a C&P exam for Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations)?

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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Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations)?

Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) (DC 5025) is rated at 40%, 20%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025. With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, paresthesias, headache, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud's-like symptoms — that are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy.

Q: What rates 40% for Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025 (DC 5025), a 40% rating for Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) requires: With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, paresthesias, headache, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud's-like symptoms — that are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy.

Q: What rates 20% for Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5025 (DC 5025), a 20% rating for Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) requires: With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points (with the same listed associated symptoms) — 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 Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) 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

Sjögren Syndrome (Musculoskeletal Manifestations) 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% / 20% / 10%). 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.

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

Overview

Musculoskeletal manifestations of Sjögren syndrome autoimmune disorder including joint pain, muscle weakness, and chronic fatigue

Rating Criteria

40%

With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, paresthesias, headache, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud's-like symptoms — that are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy.

20%

With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points (with the same listed associated symptoms) — 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.

10%

With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points (with the same listed associated symptoms) — that require continuous medication for control.

03Key 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

04C&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.

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 2026-05-27 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.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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