Musculoskeletal · 38 CFR 4.71a · DC 5002
Rheumatoid Arthritis VA Disability Rating
Rheumatoid arthritis is rated under DC 5002 with a dual-track system: active-process (when the disease is flaring) and chronic-residuals (when the disease is in remission but has caused joint damage). The rater chooses whichever produces the higher rating, not both combined.
Rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | One or two exacerbations per 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 per year. |
| 60% | Less than total weight loss, anemia productive of severe impairment of health. |
| 100% | Constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating. |
Common secondary conditions
Veterans rated for rheumatoid arthritis frequently file secondary-service-connection claims for:
- Anemia
- Mental health (chronic pain)
- Cardiovascular complications
Use the calculator
Once you know the percentage assigned for this condition, plug it into the VA Combined Rating Calculator alongside any other service-connected ratings to see your combined percentage and 2026 monthly compensation.
Source citations
- 38 CFR 4.71a (eCFR)
- VA.gov current monthly compensation rates
- VA Office of General Counsel — Accreditation directory
VetDisabilityCalc is an independent reference site operated by Zoom Lifestyle LLC. We are not VA-accredited and we do not prepare or present VA claims. The information in this guide is reference material based on the cited regulations and is not legal advice. For representation, use the official VA OGC accreditation directory.