Fibromyalgia VA Rating and Service Connection Guide

Fibromyalgia can be a debilitating condition, causing chronic pain, fatigue, and mental fog. If you’re a veteran with a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia, you may qualify for a VA disability rating for fibromyalgia.  

A fibromyalgia VA rating ranges from 10% to 40%, depending on the frequency of symptoms, how they respond to therapy, and the need for continuous medication. 

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at how the VA rates fibromyalgia, the medical evidence needed to prove a fibromyalgia VA claim, presumptive service connection, secondary conditions, and more.  

Key Takeaways

• Fibromyalgia can be service connected as a primary condition, secondary condition, aggravation, or presumptive condition with the proper documentation. 

• The VA ratings for fibromyalgia are 10%, 20%, and 40%, depending on symptom frequency, response to therapy, and need for continuous medication. 

• Strong medical evidence is critical for establishing service connection A current diagnosis, detailed symptom documentation, and supporting medical opinions (such as DBQs or nexus letters) can significantly strengthen your fibromyalgia VA claim.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition that features widespread pain, fatigue, and impaired cognitive function (trouble paying attention or focusing on tasks), according to the Mayo Clinic. 

While the specific cause of the condition is unclear, a diagnosis usually arises by eliminating other possible conditions. Some possible causes include: 

• Genes. Fibromyalgia tends to run in families and is more common in females. 

• Infections. Some illnesses, including infection induced by the hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), parvovirus, or Epstein–Barr virus, have been linked to the development of fibromyalgia. 

• Physical or emotional events. Fibromyalgia can sometimes be triggered by a traumatic event or ongoing stress. 

How the VA Rates Fibromyalgia

The VA rating for fibromyalgia falls under § 4.71a, the musculoskeletal system, under diagnostic code (DC) 5025.  

Fibromyalgia VA ratings can be 10%, 20%, or 40%, depending on the frequency of symptoms and how the symptoms respond to treatment.  

Fibromyalgia VA Rating Chart

Note: Widespread pain means pain in both the left and right sides of the body, that is both above and below the waist, and that affects both the axial skeleton (i.e., cervical spine, anterior chest, thoracic spine, or low back) and the extremities. 

Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations 

Establishing Service Connection

In order to receive VA disability compensation and benefits for fibromyalgia, you must meet the following criteria: 

• A current medical diagnosis, and 

• An in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravations, and 

• A medical nexus (i.e., link) between the current diagnosis and the in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravation

Presumptive Service Connection for Gulf War Veterans

For Gulf War veterans who meet the following criteria, fibromyalgia is considered a VA presumptive condition: 

• You served in a recognized location during a qualifying time period, and 

• You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and 

• You have an illness or other health condition that’s connected to your service, and 

• You meet any applicable timing requirements for when a health care provider diagnosed you with the condition. 

Note: For fibromyalgia, the symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months to meet VA’s presumptive condition criteria. 

For a presumptive illness, you don’t have to prove an in-service event because the VA already presumes, based on the above criteria, that your condition is linked to your service.  

What are the recognized Gulf War locations for undiagnosed illness presumptive conditions?

If you served in any of these locations on or after Aug. 2, 1990, the VA presumes your previously undiagnosed illness is associated with your service: 

• Afghanistan (airspace not included) 

• Bahrain 

• Egypt (airspace not included) 

• Iraq 

• Israel (airspace not included) 

• Jordan (airspace not included) 

• Kuwait 

• Neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia 

• Oman 

• Qatar 

• Saudi Arabia 

• Syria (airspace not included) 

• Turkey (airspace not included) 

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) 

• The waters of the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea 

Note: The airspace above all of the countries and locations listed in this section is recognized, unless specified that it’s not included. 

VA Fibromyalgia DBQ

A disability benefits questionnaire (DBQ) for fibromyalgia consolidates all (or most) of your fibromyalgia symptoms into one form. Generally completed by a medical professional, a fibromyalgia DBQ can be crucial supporting documentation for your VA disability claim.

C&P Exam for Fibromyalgia

If the VA requests a compensation and pension (C&P) exam, that means they need more medical evidence to prove the service connection of your fibromyalgia. During this exam, you may be asked about the severity of your symptoms, when they started, and where your symptoms are most prominent.  

Be honest and thorough with your examiner about how your fibromyalgia symptoms are affecting you on some of your worst days. 

VA Secondary Conditions to Fibromyalgia

You may have other conditions secondary to your service-connected fibromyalgia. Some possible VA secondary conditions to fibromyalgia include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) secondary to fibromyalgia 

• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) secondary to fibromyalgia 

• Migraines secondary to fibromyalgia 

• Anxiety secondary to fibromyalgia 

• Depression secondary to fibromyalgia 

Pro Tip: A medical nexus letter is one of the most important pieces of medical evidence for secondary conditions because a credible nexus letter can directly link your secondary condition to the already service-connected fibromyalgia.

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia can affect nearly every aspect of a veteran’s life, from sleep and mobility to mental clarity and daily functioning. Understanding how the VA rates fibromyalgia — and providing strong medical evidence to support your claim — can make all the difference in securing the benefits you’ve earned. 

If you’re struggling to prove service connection or need documentation for your fibromyalgia VA claim, Telemedica’s nationwide telehealth team can help.

Our licensed medical professionals provide DBQs, nexus letters, and independent medical opinions that provide veterans with credible evidence needed to establish service connection and win VA claims.

Medical Evidence Wins VA Claims

Did you know that a lack of medical evidence is the #1 reason VA disability claims are denied?  

Medical evidence is crucial for VA raters reviewing a disability claim.  

Telemedica provides solutions for veterans looking to bolster their claims through high-quality medical evidence that wins claims!  

Schedule your 20-minute consultation and learn how to get the supporting medical evidence you need to strengthen your claim. 

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to get VA disability for fibromyalgia?

A fibromyalgia VA disability rating is possible with proper documentation and medical evidence.  

What is the VA Rating for Fibromyalgia?

The VA rates fibromyalgia under Diagnostic Code 5025 with possible ratings of 10%, 20%, or 40%, depending on how frequent and severe your symptoms are and how they respond to treatment. 

• 10% — Symptoms controlled by continuous medication 

• 20% — Symptoms present more than one-third of the time 

• 40% — Constant or nearly constant symptoms that are unresponsive to therapy 

These ratings are based on the frequency, duration, and effectiveness of treatment for widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and related symptoms. 

What is the C&P exam for fibromyalgia?

The C&P exam, or compensation and pension exam, for fibromyalgia is an exam requested by the VA to gather additional medical evidence while processing your claim. The exam varies based on condition and examiner, but the most important thing to do is be honest, thorough, and provide the examiner with as much information as possible. 

What are some possible VA secondary conditions to fibromyalgia?

Conditions that are secondary to fibromyalgia can include sleep apnea, IBS, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, GERD, anxiety, and depression, among others.

What evidence is needed for a fibromyalgia VA claim?

To prove primary service connection for a fibromyalgia VA disability claim, you’ll need to have a current medical diagnosis; an in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravations; and a medical nexus (i.e., link) between the current diagnosis and the in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravation. To prove secondary service connection, you’ll need a current medical diagnosis of your secondary condition, and proof that your current fibromyalgia diagnosis was caused or aggravated by an already service-connected condition (often via a credible nexus letter).