All VA diagnostic codes › §4.71a
38 CFR Diagnostic Code 5002 — Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process
Rating schedule §4.71a — § 4.71a Schedule of ratings—musculoskeletal system.
| Rating | Criteria (38 CFR §4.71a) |
|---|---|
| 100% | With constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating |
| 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 |
| 40% | Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year |
| 20% | One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis |
Notes in the regulation
- 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.
Source. Quoted from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, as published by the eCFR for 2026-07-01. We quote the regulation rather than paraphrase it. The rating schedule changes; check the eCFR link for the current text.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
This is reference information, not a rating decision and not legal advice. What a claim actually receives depends on the evidence of record.
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