Diagnostic Code 5025 · 38 CFR §4.71a
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties often called fibro fog. It is one of the most common Gulf War era claims because it qualifies as a presumptive condition for veterans who served in Southwest Asia. The VA rates fibromyalgia under its own diagnostic code rather than rating individual painful joints, which means veterans receive one rating that covers the entire syndrome.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points that require continuous medication for control. Symptoms are present but generally manageable with treatment. |
| 20% | Symptoms that are episodic, with exacerbations often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress or by overexertion. Symptoms present more than one-third of the time but not constantly. |
| 40% | Symptoms that are constant or nearly constant and are refractory to therapy. This is the maximum schedular rating for fibromyalgia. Widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and other symptoms are present despite ongoing treatment. |
Diagnosis from a rheumatologist or primary care physician confirming fibromyalgia. Documentation of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body plus axial skeleton. Sleep study results if available showing non-restorative sleep. Records of medications tried and their effectiveness. Buddy statements describing how fatigue and pain affect daily activities. For Gulf War presumptive claims, service records showing deployment to Southwest Asia theater of operations.