VASRD 5002 · Musculoskeletal System
Rheumatoid Arthritis at 20% VA Disability Rating
Data last updated September 23, 2026
One or two flares a year with the diagnosis already established
20% combined rating: single veteran, no dependents
$356.66
$4,279.92/year · tax-free · effective December 1, 2025
VA pays on the combined rating, not per condition: this is the amount when 20% is the veteran's combined rating, after all separate ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25.
The full 20% pay chart, with dependentsCombine this rating with others
VA Rating Criteria for 20%
"One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis."
20% Pay by Household (2026)
Monthly compensation at a 20% combined rating. Additional compensation for dependents starts at a combined rating of 30% (38 U.S.C. § 1115), so below that the single rate applies whatever the household.
| Single (no dependents) | $356.66 |
Higher tier
40% Rheumatoid Arthritis
$795.84 /mo single
Common questions about 20% for Rheumatoid Arthritis
How much does a 20% VA rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis pay?
VA pays on the combined rating, not per condition: this is the amount when 20% is the veteran's combined rating, after all separate ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25. At a 20% combined rating, a single veteran receives $356.66 per month ($4,279.92/year) under the 2026 VA rates, effective December 1, 2025. VA disability compensation is tax-free. Additional compensation for dependents starts at a combined rating of 30% (38 U.S.C. § 1115), so below that the single rate applies whatever the household.
What does it take to get a 20% rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
"One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis."
What's the difference between 20% and 40% for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
20%: "One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis." 40%: "Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year."
Can a secondary condition raise my rating above 20%?
Yes, up to 100%. A condition service-connected as secondary to Rheumatoid Arthritis gets its own rating, which VA combines with your other ratings under 38 CFR 4.25, so your combined rating can end up higher than 20%.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5002)
- VA.gov, 2026 veteran disability compensation rates, effective December 1, 2025
Pay amounts on this page were last checked against VA.gov on September 22, 2026.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
See all rating tiers and evidence guidance
Full VASRD criteria, best evidence, exam pitfalls, and secondary conditions for Rheumatoid Arthritis are on the main condition page.
View full Rheumatoid Arthritis guide
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