Diagnostic Code 5025: Fibromyalgia Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Rating range
- 10% to 40%
- Rating levels
- 3
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal system
The VA rates Fibromyalgia under diagnostic code 5025 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 5025 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | 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 require continuous medication for control What raters look forwidespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points; continuous medication required for control |
| 20% | With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without 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 What raters look forepisodic symptoms present more than one-third of the time; exacerbations often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress or overexertion |
| 40% | With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated symptoms, that are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy What raters look forconstant or nearly constant symptoms; refractory to therapy |
DC 5025 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 295 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 5025 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 34.2%, denied 57.3% and sent 8.5% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 5025 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Fibromyalgia. The Fibromyalgia condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Fibromyalgia appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 2,870 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Fibromyalgia, 2021 to 2026. The Fibromyalgia condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Fibromyalgia appeals generally rather than DC 5025 specifically. The DC 5025 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 5025?
Diagnostic code 5025 is the VA rating schedule entry for Fibromyalgia, found in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 5025?
DC 5025 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 40%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 5025 require?
The 40% rating for Fibromyalgia requires: With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated symptoms, that are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 5025?
In 290 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 5025 from 2021 to 2026, 33.1% were granted, 58.3% denied and 8.6% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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