VA Disability Rating for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Rated 10–100% by severity. Gulf War Illness presumptive.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (DC 6354) is on the Gulf War Illness presumptive list (38 CFR § 3.317). Rating tiers reflect how severely fatigue and post-exertional malaise restrict activities.
Presumptive framework applies
Gulf War Illness presumptive (38 CFR § 3.317) for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater (1990-present) or Afghanistan (2001-present for qualifying locations).
Check my presumptive eligibility →Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | Signs/symptoms that wax and wane; periods of incapacitation of at least 1 but less than 2 weeks total per year, OR requires continuous medication. |
| 20% | $356.66 | Symptoms restricting routine daily activities by less than 25%, OR 2 to 4 weeks incapacitation per year. |
| 40% | $795.84 | 25-50% activity restriction, OR 4 to 6 weeks incapacitation per year. |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | 50-75% activity restriction, OR 6+ weeks incapacitation per year. |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | Signs/symptoms so severe as to restrict routine daily activities to less than 50% of pre-illness level, OR to require near-constant bed rest. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 10%: $180.42/mo · $2,165/year, tax-free
- →At 20%: $356.66/mo · $4,280/year, tax-free
- →At 40%: $795.84/mo · $9,550/year, tax-free
- →At 60%: $1,435.02/mo · $17,220/year, tax-free
- →At 100%: $3,938.58/mo · $47,263/year, tax-free
How to get rated for chronic fatigue syndrome
- Document duration and severity: incapacitation log is powerful evidence.
- Gulf War vets: file under 38 CFR § 3.317 presumption.
- Exclude other causes — CFS is a diagnosis of exclusion.
Common secondary conditions
- +Fibromyalgia (frequently co-occurring)
- +Depression
- +IBS
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- Gulf War: cite the presumption, no nexus letter.
- If CFS + fibromyalgia + IBS cluster — file all three. Gulf War presumption covers the cluster.
Frequently asked
Isn't CFS just a mental health issue?
No. VA recognizes CFS as a distinct physical condition. It is rated separately from depression/anxiety, which may coexist.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.