What are the VA rating percentages for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (DC 5002) is rated at 20%, 40%, 60%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002. One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis.

What rates 20% for Rheumatoid Arthritis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002 (DC 5002), a 20% rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis requires: One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis.

What rates 100% for Rheumatoid Arthritis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002 (DC 5002), a 100% rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis requires: Constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating.

What secondary conditions are linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Common secondary conditions for Rheumatoid Arthritis include Cervical Spine Instability, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Interstitial Lung Disease, Pericarditis, Vasculitis. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Q: What rates 40% for Rheumatoid Arthritis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002 (DC 5002), a 40% rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis requires: Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by exam findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year.

Q: What rates 60% for Rheumatoid Arthritis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002 (DC 5002), a 60% rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis requires: Less than total but with weight loss and anemia, or severely incapacitating exacerbations 4 or more times a year or a lesser number over prolonged periods.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Rheumatoid Arthritis VA claim?

Key evidence for a Rheumatoid Arthritis 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 500238 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5002

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

20–100%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Rheumatoid Arthritis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5002 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5002 across 4 severity tiers (20% / 40% / 60% / 100%). 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Cervical Spine Instability or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

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

Overview

Chronic autoimmune inflammatory arthritis causing symmetrical joint swelling, pain, morning stiffness, and progressive joint erosion

Rating Criteria

20%

One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis.

40%

Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by exam findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year.

60%

Less than total but with weight loss and anemia, or severely incapacitating exacerbations 4 or more times a year or a lesser number over prolonged periods.

100%

Constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating.

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.

05Secondary Conditions

Cervical Spine InstabilityMODERATE

RA affects C1-C2 joints causing atlantoaxial subluxation

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeMODERATE

Wrist synovitis compresses median nerve

Interstitial Lung DiseaseMODERATE

RA-associated pulmonary fibrosis

PericarditisMODERATE

Systemic inflammation affects heart lining

VasculitisMODERATE

RA can cause blood vessel inflammation

Secondary Sjogrens SyndromeMODERATE

Autoimmune overlap syndromes

OsteoporosisMODERATE

Inflammation and corticosteroids weaken bones

AnemiaMODERATE

Chronic inflammation suppresses red blood cell production

DepressionMODERATE

Chronic pain and disability cause depression

ScleritisMODERATE

RA-associated eye inflammation

Sjogrens SyndromeMODERATE

Overlapping autoimmune conditions

Cervical MyelopathyMODERATE

Atlantoaxial instability from joint damage

Peripheral NeuropathyMODERATE

Vasculitis damages peripheral nerves

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Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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