C&P Exam for Fibromyalgia (DC 5025)

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Diagnostic code: 5025Condition: Fibromyalgia (fibrositis, primary fibromyalgia syndrome)Regulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ RHEUM Fibromyalgia

Which form the examiner uses

For fibromyalgia (DC 5025), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What to expect at your C&P exam

A fibromyalgia exam is based on your history and a check of tender points. There is no lab test for fibromyalgia; it is diagnosed by ruling other conditions out. The rating depends on how widespread and constant the symptoms are, under 38 CFR 4.71a.

1Initial interview (history)

  • Widespread muscle pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and stiffness.
  • How often symptoms are present (constant or off-and-on) and what triggers flares.
  • Associated symptoms: headache, irritable bowel, depression, anxiety, and numbness.
  • Treatments and effect on daily life and work.

2Physical examination

  • Checking the tender points where fibromyalgia pain typically occurs.
  • A general exam to look for other causes.

3Diagnostic tests the examiner may rely on

There is no test that confirms fibromyalgia. Tests are used only to rule out other conditions.

Blood tests
Used only to rule out other conditions such as arthritis or a thyroid problem.

4Functional assessment

  • Whether symptoms are constant or nearly constant, or come and go, and how often they flare, which set the rating.
  • Findings map to the tiers in 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5025.

Test explainers open MedlinePlus (NIH National Library of Medicine), or Wikipedia where MedlinePlus has no matching page. This describes what happens and what is measured, not how to influence a result.

What the examiner records (full DBQ form)

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

This DBQ evaluates fibromyalgia including diagnosis, symptoms, tender points, functional impact, and assistive devices.

How DC 5025 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-VIII of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code.

8 of 8 sections apply to DC 5025 on this DBQ
DIAGNOSIS (Section I) MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II) FINDINGS, SIGNS, AND SYMPTOMS (Section III) OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section IV) DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section V) FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section VI) ASSISTIVE DEVICES (Section VII) REMARKS (Section VIII)
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
  • 1A. Does the Veteran have a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia? (Fibromyalgia may also be called fibrosytis or primary fibromyalgia syndrome)
  • If no, explain your findings and reasons:
  • 1B. If yes, select the Veteran's condition (check all that apply): Fibromyalgia
  • 1B. Other, specify:
  • ICD Code
  • Date of diagnosis
  • Other diagnosis #1 ICD Code
  • Other diagnosis #1 Date of diagnosis
  • Other diagnosis #2 ICD Code
  • Other diagnosis #2 Date of diagnosis
  • 1C. If there are additional diagnoses that pertain to fibromyalgia, list using above format.
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
  • 2A. Describe the history, including onset and course, of the Veteran's fibromyalgia condition(s). Brief summary:
  • 2B. Is continuous medication required for control of fibromyalgia symptoms?
  • If yes, list only those medications required for the Veteran's fibromyalgia condition:
  • 2C. Is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for this condition?
  • If yes, describe:
  • 2D. Are the Veteran's fibromyalgia symptoms refractory to therapy?
  • If yes, describe:
FINDINGS, SIGNS, AND SYMPTOMS (Section III)
  • 3A. Does the Veteran currently have any findings, signs, or symptoms attributable to fibromyalgia?
  • Widespread musculoskeletal pain
  • Stiffness
  • Muscle weakness
  • If checked, describe: (muscle weakness)
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Paresthesias
  • Headache
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Irritable bowel symptoms
  • Raynaud's-like symptoms
  • Other
  • If checked, describe: (other symptoms)
  • For all checked conditions, describe:
  • 3B. Frequency of fibromyalgia symptoms (check all that apply): No symptoms
  • Episodic with exacerbations
  • Present more than one-third of the time
  • Constant or nearly constant
  • Often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress or overexertion
  • If checked, describe: (frequency)
  • Other If checked, describe:
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section IV)
  • 4A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs or symptoms related to any conditions listed in the diagnosis section above?
  • If yes, describe (brief summary):
  • 4B. Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement (of the skin) related to any conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the diagnosis section?
  • 4C. Comments:
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section V)
  • 5A. Are there any clinically relevant diagnostic test findings or results related to the claimed condition(s) and/or diagnosis(es), that were reviewed in conjunction with this examination?
  • If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date, and results (brief summary)
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section VI)
  • 6A. Regardless of the Veteran's current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)?
  • If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples:
ASSISTIVE DEVICES (Section VII)
  • 7A. Does the Veteran use any assistive devices?
  • Wheelchair Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
  • Brace(s) Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
  • Crutch(es) Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
  • Cane(s) Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
  • Walker Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
  • Other, describe: Frequency of use: Occasional / Regular / Constant
  • 7B. If the Veteran uses any assistive devices, specify the condition, indicate the side, and identify the assistive device used for each condition.
REMARKS (Section VIII)
  • 8A. Remarks (if any - please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).

Rating Levels for DC 5025

The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 5025

The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code, among issues the Board granted or denied (remanded issues are not included). Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.

  • VA examination: appeared in 1084 granted decisions (1958 denied; 3042 decided total)
  • Service treatment records: appeared in 780 granted decisions (1623 denied; 2403 decided total)
  • Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 543 granted decisions (997 denied; 1540 decided total)
  • Private medical opinion: appeared in 512 granted decisions (708 denied; 1220 decided total)
  • Nexus letter: appeared in 328 granted decisions (274 denied; 602 decided total)
  • Medical literature: appeared in 101 granted decisions (141 denied; 242 decided total)

What the Board discussed in granted decisions for DC 5025

The themes below were extracted by clustering 500 grant-factor sentences from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Frequencies indicate how often each theme appeared in the sample. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not advice or strategy for any specific claim.

  1. 32% Benefit of the doubt standard stated or applied
    The Board cited the legal standard requiring VA to resolve approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in the claimant's favor, either as a general statement of law or as the basis for a grant decision.
    162 of 500 sample sentences
  2. 19% Positive nexus opinion cited from VA examiner
    A VA examiner opined that a claimed disability was at least as likely as not incurred in, caused by, or related to active military service or a service-connected condition.
    97 of 500 sample sentences
  3. 14% Evidence found in equipoise supporting grant
    The Board found the medical and lay evidence at least in relative equipoise on a material question, triggering application of the benefit of the doubt in the Veteran's favor.
    72 of 500 sample sentences
  4. 14% Benefit of the doubt doctrine found inapplicable
    The Board found the preponderance of evidence persuasively against the claim and therefore concluded the benefit of the doubt doctrine did not apply, resulting in denial.
    70 of 500 sample sentences
  5. 7% Fibromyalgia diagnosis or nexus to service noted
    The Board or an examiner recorded a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and found or discussed whether that diagnosis was related to active service, a service-connected condition, or Gulf War exposure.
    37 of 500 sample sentences
  6. 7% Examiner request or remand instruction for nexus opinion
    The Board or remand order directed an examiner to provide an opinion on whether a disability was at least as likely as not related to service, a service-connected condition, or a toxic exposure.
    36 of 500 sample sentences
  7. 5% Secondary service connection nexus opinion cited
    An examiner or clinician opined that a disability was at least as likely as not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.
    25 of 500 sample sentences
  8. 3% Gulf War or toxic exposure nexus opinion noted
    An examiner or the Board noted that a claimed condition was at least as likely as not related to Gulf War service, burn pit exposure, Southwest Asia environmental hazards, or other toxic exposure risk activities.
    15 of 500 sample sentences
  9. 1% TDIU or unemployability evidence found sufficient
    The Board found the evidence supported a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
    6 of 500 sample sentences
View the full DC 5025 pageSearch BVA decisions for this codeAbout DBQ forms

Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.