Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia. Diagnostic Code 5025.
Overview
Fibromyalgia causes widespread muscle and joint pain, often with fatigue, sleep problems, and headaches.
How VA rates it
Diagnostic Code 5025 · 38 CFR 4.71a
Here is a plain language summary of the rating levels in the regulation. Read the official text for the exact wording.
| Rating | Summary of the criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% | Symptoms constant or nearly so, and refractory to therapy. |
| 20% | Symptoms episodic, with flares, but present more than one third of the time. |
| 10% | Symptoms that require continuous medication for control. |
The regulation defines widespread pain as pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist, affecting the spine and the limbs.
Common secondary connections
These are conditions often discussed in connection with Fibromyalgia. A secondary claim generally needs medical evidence that one condition caused or worsened another. This list is general education, not a suggestion about any claim.
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- IBS
Presumptive notes
VA lists fibromyalgia among Gulf War illness conditions for veterans with qualifying Southwest Asia service, with specific timing rules. Read the full eligibility rules on VA.gov.
Evidence veterans generally gather
VA describes evidence types in its evidence guide. For this condition, veterans often collect:
- Rheumatology or primary care records
- A symptom timeline
- Deployment records
- A current diagnosis from a medical provider
- Service treatment records and personnel records
- VA and private treatment records
- Statements from you, family, or fellow service members (lay statements)
- A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) completed by a provider, if available
Official source
Rating levels: 38 CFR 4.71a on eCFR. Rules change; always confirm the current text.
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