VA Disability Rating for Fibromyalgia: Eligibility and Compensation Explained

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition marked by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms that can severely affect day-to-day life. For many veterans, these symptoms may be connected to their military service, making them eligible for VA disability compensation. The VA recognizes fibromyalgia as a compensable condition when service connection is established correctly.

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This article breaks down how fibromyalgia is rated by the VA in 2026, what you must prove to qualify, and how this rating affects your monthly compensation.

What Is Fibromyalgia and How the VA Sees It?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that involves widespread pain and tender points, often accompanied by fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, irritable bowel symptoms, and cognitive issues. The VA recognizes fibromyalgia as a service-connected disability under Diagnostic Code 5025 in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

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To receive compensation, a veteran must first show that they currently have fibromyalgia, that it began or worsened during service, and that it is connected to their military duties. In some cases, such as for Gulf War veterans, fibromyalgia can be treated as a presumptive condition, which means the VA assumes the condition is related to service if certain eligibility criteria are met.

VA Rating Criteria for Fibromyalgia

Once service connection is established, the VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity and frequency of symptoms. The higher the rating, the more monthly compensation you receive. Ratings typically include:

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Fibromyalgia VA Rating Chart

VA Rating	What It Means
10%	Symptoms require continuous medication for control.
20%	Symptoms are episodic, present more than one-third of the time, and worsened by stress or exertion.
40%	Symptoms are constant or nearly constant and refractory to therapy, significantly impairing daily life.

These ratings reflect how fibromyalgia affects your ability to work and perform normal daily tasks. The highest schedular rating the VA awards for fibromyalgia is 40 percent.

Establishing Service Connection for Fibromyalgia

To qualify for a VA rating, you must show a current diagnosis and a connection to your military service. This includes:

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1. Current Medical Diagnosis – A formal fibromyalgia diagnosis from a doctor, supported by medical records.
2. In-Service Event or Injury – Evidence showing the condition began or was aggravated during active duty.
3. Medical Nexus – A medical opinion linking fibromyalgia to your service.

If you are a Gulf War veteran who served in Southwest Asia, fibromyalgia may be treated as a presumptive illness, meaning you may not have to prove the nexus as long as the condition is at least 10 percent disabling.

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Examples of Ratings in Practice

• 10 percent rating – You take daily medication, but symptoms are otherwise manageable.
• 20 percent rating – Pain and fatigue flare up regularly, affecting work or daily routines many days of the month.
• 40 percent rating – Symptoms are persistent, severe, and unresponsive to therapy, making employment and daily life significantly difficult.

Veteran benefits specialist Laura Kent notes,

“Getting the correct rating for fibromyalgia can be challenging because it lacks clear diagnostic tests. What matters most is detailed medical evidence linking your symptoms to functional limitations.”

Can Fibromyalgia Lead to Total Disability (TDIU)?

If fibromyalgia alone doesn’t reach the criteria for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), it can still contribute toward it. For example, if you have a combined disability rating of at least 70 percent with one condition rated at least 40 percent (such as fibromyalgia), you may qualify for TDIU, which pays at the 100 percent rate even if you’re not technically rated at 100 percent.

This means that chronic fatigue, widespread pain, and cognitive dysfunction from fibromyalgia can support a claim for unemployability when paired with other disabilities.

Secondary Service Connection and Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia may develop as a secondary condition to another service-connected disability. That means if you already receive compensation for another service-connected condition and that condition caused or aggravated your fibromyalgia, you can file a secondary claim. Examples include:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Anxiety or depression
• Migraines

A secondary service connection can increase your combined disability rating and monthly compensation.

Challenges With Fibromyalgia Claims

Because fibromyalgia has no definitive medical test, VA examiners rely heavily on medical history, symptom documentation, and clinical findings. Evidence should include:

• Doctor’s notes and diagnosis
• Medical records documenting symptom duration
• Treatment records showing ongoing therapy
• Statements from family or coworkers about how symptoms affect daily life

Veterans sometimes face denial if documentation is insufficient or if the VA determines a nexus is not clearly established. In such cases, appeals or supplemental claims may be necessary.

Final Thoughts

Fibromyalgia is a complex but compensable condition under VA rules when evidence clearly shows service connection and symptom severity. Ratings range from 10 to 40 percent based on how often and how severely symptoms occur. With strong documentation and medical support, many veterans qualify for meaningful monthly benefits and, in some cases, TDIU if the condition substantially interferes with employment.

As one VA disability attorney observed,

“Fibromyalgia claims require patience and detailed evidence, but with the right documentation and support, veterans can secure a rating that truly reflects their disability.”

Whether you are filing your first claim or appealing a denied decision, understanding how the VA evaluates fibromyalgia is the first step toward receiving the compensation you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions