VA Rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis: DC 5002, 20% to 100% Criteria and 2026 Pay
VA rates rheumatoid arthritis under diagnostic code (DC) 5002 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The schedule has 4 levels: 20%, 40%, 60% and 100%. The table below quotes each level word for word from the current CFR text and adds a one-line summary; the 2026 monthly compensation figures that follow are VA's published rates.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Criteria checked against the eCFR and Federal Register October 26, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Rheumatoid arthritis rating criteria in 38 CFR § 4.71a
Diagnostic code: DC 5002 Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process. Criteria are quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary and is not part of the regulation.
| Rating | Criteria as printed in 38 CFR (quotation) | In plain English (our summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis | One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis. |
| 40% | Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year | Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings, or incapacitating exacerbations 3 or more times a year. |
| 60% | 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 | Less than the 100% criteria but with weight loss and anemia productive of severe impairment of health, or severely incapacitating exacerbations 4 or more times a year or fewer over prolonged periods. |
| 100% | With constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating | Constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating. |
All 3 notes printed with these criteria (quotation):
Note (1): Examples of conditions rated using this diagnostic code include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and spondyloarthropathies.
Note (2): For chronic residuals, rate under diagnostic code 5003.
Note (3): The ratings for the active process will not be combined with the residual ratings for limitation of motion, ankylosis, or diagnostic code 5003. Instead, assign the higher evaluation.
2026 VA monthly pay at each rheumatoid arthritis rating
| Rating | Veteran alone | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $356.66 | Same as alone; spouse amounts start at 30% |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 |
VA does not add ratings together. When a veteran has more than one rated condition, VA combines them with its combined ratings table (38 CFR § 4.25), so the amounts above apply to a combined rating, not to this condition alone. Work out a combined rating with the VA disability calculator at /va-disability-calculator/.
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How the criteria are written
DC 5002 is titled "Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process". Rheumatoid arthritis is not the only condition under it: Note (1) says examples "include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and spondyloarthropathies".
The levels turn on exacerbations (how many a year), the effect on health (weight loss and anemia, definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings) and, at 100%, constitutional manifestations that are totally incapacitating.
Note (2) says for chronic residuals, rate under diagnostic code 5003. Note (3) says the ratings for the active process are not combined with the residual ratings for limitation of motion, ankylosis or DC 5003; instead, assign the higher evaluation.
VA publishes Disability Benefits Questionnaires for this area (benefits.va.gov): Arthritis DBQ.
Is this the current rule?
Source text. § 4.71a Schedule of ratings—musculoskeletal system. from the eCFR (38 CFR Part 4), text up to date as of October 22, 2026, retrieved October 26, 2026. Read the section on eCFR.
Latest final rule affecting the section. 86 FR 8142 (final rule), Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Musculoskeletal System and Muscle Injuries; Correction, published February 4, 2021, effective February 7, 2021. Latest entry in the section's amendment history in the eCFR. It corrects the 2020 musculoskeletal rule (85 FR 76453), which changed several joint, arthritis and foot entries in this section (CFR Appendix A dates those changes February 7, 2021).
Rule that set these criteria. 85 FR 76453, effective February 7, 2021. The 2020 musculoskeletal final rule changed the title, criteria and note of DC 5002; CFR Appendix A dates those changes February 7, 2021.
- DC 5002: Evaluation March 1, 1963; title, criteria, note February 7, 2021.
Upcoming changes. Our Federal Register search on October 26, 2026 found no final rule for this section with an effective date after that day.
Proposed rules. The search found no proposed rule that would change these criteria.
Related conditions
- Arthritis: DC 5003 rates chronic residuals (Note 2) and degenerative arthritis by limitation of motion.
- Back pain (spine): Note (1) of DC 5002 lists spondyloarthropathies; the spine General Rating Formula covers DC 5240, ankylosing spondylitis.
- All VA disability ratings by condition
Questions about the Rheumatoid arthritis rating
What diagnostic code does VA use for rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is rated under diagnostic code (DC) 5002 in 38 CFR § 4.71a, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The code lists are quoted from the eCFR text current as of October 22, 2026.
What are the VA rating levels for rheumatoid arthritis?
The schedule has 4 levels for rheumatoid arthritis: 20%, 40%, 60% and 100%. Each level has its own criteria, quoted in the table on this page. VA decides which level applies to a claim.
How much is VA disability pay for a rheumatoid arthritis rating in 2026?
VA's 2026 monthly rates for a veteran alone, with the with-spouse amount for 30% and higher, are 20%: $356.66; 40%: $795.84 ($882.84 with a spouse); 60%: $1,435.02 ($1,566.02 with a spouse); 100%: $3,938.58 ($4,158.17 with a spouse). Rates took effect December 1, 2025. The amount you are paid depends on your combined rating, not on this condition alone.
Are ratings for rheumatoid arthritis added to my other ratings?
No. VA does not add ratings together; it combines them using the combined ratings table in 38 CFR § 4.25. Use the VA disability calculator on this site at /va-disability-calculator/ to see how ratings combine.
Is there a separate VA code for rheumatoid arthritis?
Not by name. Rheumatoid arthritis is listed as an example in Note (1) of DC 5002, "Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process", in 38 CFR § 4.71a.
What happens to the rating when the arthritis is not active?
Note (2) of DC 5002 says: "For chronic residuals, rate under diagnostic code 5003." The arthritis page on this site shows DC 5003, which rates degenerative arthritis by limitation of motion under the specific joint codes.
Is the DC 5002 rating added to ratings for limited motion in the same joints?
Note (3) says: "The ratings for the active process will not be combined with the residual ratings for limitation of motion, ankylosis, or diagnostic code 5003. Instead, assign the higher evaluation."
Does this page decide my VA rating?
No. FedRateCalc is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This page quotes the rating schedule and VA's published rates for information only; it is not legal or medical advice. VA decides the rating and the payment.