Fibromyalgia

DC 5025Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5025

A condition that causes widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and tender points throughout the body. The VA rates fibromyalgia based on how often your symptoms flare up and whether medication controls them.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how often symptoms occur and how severe each episode is. The examiner will ask about the frequency, duration, and intensity of your episodes, as well as how they affect your ability to work.

Diagnostic code

DC 5025

Rating range

10% – 40%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5025. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.

Rating Levels

Your fibromyalgia symptoms are constant or nearly constant and are resistant to treatment. This is the maximum schedular rating for fibromyalgia.

What the VA looks for

Constant or nearly constant symptoms
Symptoms refractory (resistant) to therapy
Multiple treatments tried without adequate relief
Widespread pain with tender points documented
Significant associated symptoms present

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the frequency and duration of flare-ups — the rating depends on whether symptoms are present more than one-third of the time or are constant.
⚠Not reporting all associated symptoms — fibromyalgia often comes with fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, IBS, depression, and anxiety. Each may support a separate secondary claim.
⚠Not keeping a symptom diary showing that treatments have been tried and failed — the 40% rating requires showing that symptoms are "refractory to therapy."
⚠Missing the connection to military service — fibromyalgia is a Gulf War presumptive condition for veterans who served in Southwest Asia.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Fibromyalgia

View evidence checklist →C&P exam prep guide →See secondary conditions →

Related Conditions

Conditions commonly associated with Fibromyalgia or rated under the same body system.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

DC 9434·Mental Disorders·Possible secondary

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

DC 6847·Respiratory·Possible secondary

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

DC 7319·Digestive·Possible secondary

Migraine Headaches

DC 8100·Neurological·Possible secondary

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

DC 6354·Musculoskeletal·Possible secondary

Gulf War Illness (Undiagnosed Illness)

DC 6354·Infectious Diseases·Related primary

Lumbar Strain (Low Back Pain)

DC 5237·Musculoskeletal

Cervical Strain (Neck Pain)

DC 5237·Musculoskeletal

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 5025

Rating range

10% – 40%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

Your fibromyalgia symptoms are constant or nearly constant and are resistant to treatment. This is the maximum schedular rating for fibromyalgia.

What the VA looks for

Constant or nearly constant symptoms
Symptoms refractory (resistant) to therapy
Multiple treatments tried without adequate relief
Widespread pain with tender points documented
Significant associated symptoms present

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the frequency and duration of flare-ups — the rating depends on whether symptoms are present more than one-third of the time or are constant.

⚠Not reporting all associated symptoms — fibromyalgia often comes with fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, IBS, depression, and anxiety. Each may support a separate secondary claim.

⚠Not keeping a symptom diary showing that treatments have been tried and failed — the 40% rating requires showing that symptoms are "refractory to therapy."

⚠Missing the connection to military service — fibromyalgia is a Gulf War presumptive condition for veterans who served in Southwest Asia.