Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process DC 5002
VA rates it under diagnostic code 5002 in 38 CFR 4.71a. Body system: Other.
Also searched as: rheumatoid arthritis, RA, psoriatic arthritis.
How VA rates it
The schedule allows 4 rating levels for this code: 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%. VA picks the level whose criteria best match your symptoms and records.
Source: 38 CFR 4.71a on eCFR. Read the full criteria there before you file.
Rating levels and criteria
| Rating | What the schedule says |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Criteria text from 38 CFR 4.71a, eCFR as of November 10, 2026. The eCFR is the official source if anything here differs.
Notes in the schedule (3)
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.
Related medications
Medications prescribed for it
A prescription shows the condition was diagnosed. It still needs its own link to service.
Show 32 medications
- Arthritis immune medicines (DMARDs) (for example methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, leflunomide). FDA labels: Methotrexate (DailyMed)
- Oral and injected steroids (for example prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone). FDA labels: Prednisone (DailyMed)
- Adalimumab (Humira, Amjevita). FDA labels: Adalimumab (DailyMed)
- Apremilast (Otezla). FDA labels: Apremilast (DailyMed)
- Celecoxib (Celebrex, Elyxyb). FDA labels: Celecoxib (DailyMed)
- Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia). FDA labels: Certolizumab pegol (DailyMed)
- Diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam). FDA labels: Diclofenac (DailyMed)
- Diclofenac and misoprostol (Arthrotec). FDA labels: Diclofenac and misoprostol (DailyMed)
- Diflunisal. FDA labels: Diflunisal (DailyMed)
- Esomeprazole and naproxen (Vimovo). FDA labels: Esomeprazole and naproxen (DailyMed)
- Etanercept (Enbrel). FDA labels: Etanercept (DailyMed)
- Etodolac (Lodine). FDA labels: Etodolac (DailyMed)
- Famotidine and ibuprofen (Duexis). FDA labels: Famotidine and ibuprofen (DailyMed)
- Flurbiprofen (Ansaid). FDA labels: Flurbiprofen (DailyMed)
- Golimumab (Simponi). FDA labels: Golimumab (DailyMed)
- Guselkumab (Tremfya). FDA labels: Guselkumab (DailyMed)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). FDA labels: Ibuprofen (DailyMed)
- Indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex). FDA labels: Indomethacin (DailyMed)
- Infliximab (Remicade, Inflectra). FDA labels: Infliximab (DailyMed)
- Ixekizumab (Taltz). FDA labels: Ixekizumab (DailyMed)
- Ketoprofen. FDA labels: Ketoprofen (DailyMed)
- Meloxicam (Mobic, Vivlodex). FDA labels: Meloxicam (DailyMed)
- Nabumetone (Relafen). FDA labels: Nabumetone (DailyMed)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). FDA labels: Naproxen (DailyMed)
- Oxaprozin (Daypro, Coxanto). FDA labels: Oxaprozin (DailyMed)
- Piroxicam (Feldene). FDA labels: Piroxicam (DailyMed)
- Risankizumab (Skyrizi). FDA labels: Risankizumab (DailyMed)
- Secukinumab (Cosentyx). FDA labels: Secukinumab (DailyMed)
- Sulindac. FDA labels: Sulindac (DailyMed)
- Tofacitinib (Xeljanz). FDA labels: Tofacitinib (DailyMed)
- Upadacitinib (Rinvoq). FDA labels: Upadacitinib (DailyMed)
- Ustekinumab (Stelara, Wezlana). FDA labels: Ustekinumab (DailyMed)
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Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
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