VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
DC 5002: Multi-Joint Arthritis (Except Post-Traumatic And Gout), 2 Or More Joints, As An Active Process
Read VA diagnostic code 5002 for Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process: published criteria, regulatory notes, related codes and official sources checked October 25, 2026.
Published criteria from 38 CFR 4.71a, current through 2026-10-22. Historical decisions may require a different version. This reference does not diagnose a condition or determine an evaluation.
The Musculoskeletal System · All Diagnostic Codes
DC 5002: Multi-Joint Arthritis (Except Post-Traumatic And Gout), 2 Or More Joints, As An Active Process
Diagnostic code 5002 addresses Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| 5002 Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process: | |
| With constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating | 100 |
| 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 | 60 |
| Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year | 40 |
| One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis | 20 |
| 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. |
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 5002, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- Do the examination findings record the relevant movement measurements and explain functional limitations, flare-ups and repeated use where applicable?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
No public condition DBQ is mapped to this code. Consult the official public DBQ list and examination instructions.
Regulatory Cross-References
Shared Rules And Regulatory Context
- 38 CFR 4.71a Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.40 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.41 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.42 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.43 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.44 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.45 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.46 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.57 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.58 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.59 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.61 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.62 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.63 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.64 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.66 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.67 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.68 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.69 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.70 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.71 Context And Notes
Context provisions do not create an additional evaluation automatically assigned to every condition.
Related Guides
Official Sources
Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71a
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.40
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.41
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.42
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.43
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.44
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.45
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.46
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.57
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.58
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.59
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.61
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.62
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.63
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.64
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.66
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.67
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.68
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.69
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.70
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71
Check The Source. Get Accredited Help.
Use this resource to understand published information. VA and the official decision control individual benefits.