Reference: 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5002

What is the VA rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The published Rheumatoid Arthritis schedule uses specific diagnostic codes.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

Under 38 CFR 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5002, VA rates active Rheumatoid Arthritis (Multi-joint arthritis) based on incapacitating exacerbations, constitutional manifestations, and impairment of health. Chronic residuals are rated separately under limitation of motion or degenerative arthritis (DC 5003), and the VA assigns the higher evaluation.

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Overview

About this condition

Under 38 CFR 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5002, VA rates active Rheumatoid Arthritis (Multi-joint arthritis) based on incapacitating exacerbations, constitutional manifestations, and impairment of health. Chronic residuals are rated separately under limitation of motion or degenerative arthritis (DC 5003), and the VA assigns the higher evaluation.

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5002

This guide is educational only. RatingScope does not diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis, cannot determine service connection, and does not predict a VA decision. This provides the standard regulatory rule for evaluating active Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Percentage Guides

Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

100%

Highest listed pathway

Totally incapacitating with constitutional manifestations.

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Official CFR language
With constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating
Qualification explanation
This level applies for totally incapacitating active joint involvement with constitutional symptoms.
Medical evidence
Records showing totally incapacitating active joint involvement and constitutional manifestations

60%

Next: 100% requires totally incapacitating active joint involvement.

Weight loss, anemia, or severely incapacitating exacerbations 4+ times a year.

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Official CFR language
Less than criteria for 100% but with weight loss and anemia productive of severe impairment of health or severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring 4 or more times a year or a lesser number over prolonged periods
Qualification explanation
Applies when there is severe impairment of health with weight loss/anemia, or severely incapacitating exacerbations 4 or more times a year.
Medical evidence
Records showing weight loss and anemia; Documentation of severely incapacitating exacerbations 4 or more times a year

40%

Next: 60% requires severe impairment of health or exacerbations 4 or more times a year.

Definite impairment of health or incapacitating exacerbations 3+ times a year.

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Official CFR language
Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year
Qualification explanation
Applies when there is definite impairment of health supported by examination findings, or incapacitating exacerbations 3 or more times a year.
Medical evidence
Examination findings showing definite impairment of health; Documentation of incapacitating exacerbations 3 or more times a year

20%

Next: 40% requires exacerbations 3 or more times a year or definite impairment of health.

One or two exacerbations a year.

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Official CFR language
One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis
Qualification explanation
Applies for a well-established diagnosis with one or two exacerbations per year.
Medical evidence
Records of well-established diagnosis and 1-2 exacerbations per year

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Medical Evidence 1

A confirmed medical diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

Medical Evidence 2

Medical records detailing the frequency and severity of incapacitating exacerbations.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

Medical Evidence 3

Records of constitutional manifestations, weight loss, or anemia.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

Official VA Forms & DBQs

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

Take the public DBQ to your private physician or review it prior to your C&P examination.

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Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Rheumatoid Arthritis

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Rheumatoid Arthritis yet.

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Evidence Center

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