VA Rating for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: 10% to 100% Criteria
VA rates chronic fatigue syndrome under diagnostic code (DC) 6354 in 38 CFR § 4.88b. The schedule has 5 levels: 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 100%. The table below quotes each level word for word from the current CFR text and adds a one-line summary; the 2026 monthly compensation figures that follow are VA's published rates.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Criteria checked against the eCFR and Federal Register October 26, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Chronic fatigue syndrome rating criteria in 38 CFR § 4.88b
Diagnostic code: DC 6354 Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Criteria are quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary and is not part of the regulation.
Lead-in text printed in the CFR before the rows (quotation):
Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or confusion), or a combination of other signs and symptoms:
| Rating | Criteria as printed in 38 CFR (quotation) | In plain English (our summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Which wax and wane but result in periods of incapacitation of at least one but less than two weeks total duration per year; or symptoms controlled by continuous medication | Symptoms that wax and wane with incapacitation of at least one but less than two weeks a year, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. |
| 20% | Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities by less than 25 percent of the pre-illness level; or which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least two but less than four weeks total duration per year | Nearly constant symptoms restricting daily activities by less than 25 percent of the pre-illness level, or incapacitation of at least two but less than four weeks a year. |
| 40% | Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities from 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level; or which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least four but less than six weeks total duration per year | Daily activities restricted from 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level, or incapacitation of at least four but less than six weeks a year. |
| 60% | Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities to less than 50 percent of the pre-illness level; or which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least six weeks total duration per year | Daily activities restricted to less than 50 percent of the pre-illness level, or incapacitation of at least six weeks a year. |
| 100% | Which are nearly constant and so severe as to restrict routine daily activities almost completely and which may occasionally preclude self-care | Nearly constant symptoms so severe that routine daily activities are restricted almost completely. |
Note printed with these criteria (quotation):
Note: For the purpose of evaluating this disability, incapacitation exists only when a licensed physician prescribes bed rest and treatment.
2026 VA monthly pay at each chronic fatigue syndrome rating
| Rating | Veteran alone | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | Same as alone; spouse amounts start at 30% |
| 20% | $356.66 | Same as alone; spouse amounts start at 30% |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 |
VA does not add ratings together. When a veteran has more than one rated condition, VA combines them with its combined ratings table (38 CFR § 4.25), so the amounts above apply to a combined rating, not to this condition alone. Work out a combined rating with the VA disability calculator at /va-disability-calculator/.
VA disability calculator · Full VA disability pay chart with children and parents
How the criteria are written
Every level starts from the same lead-in: debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or confusion), or a combination of other signs and symptoms. The level then depends on how much the symptoms restrict routine daily activities compared with the pre-illness level, or on weeks of incapacitation per year.
The note says incapacitation exists only when a licensed physician prescribes bed rest and treatment. The 2019 final rule (84 FR 28227, effective August 11, 2019) revised the title, criteria and note for DC 6354.
VA publishes Disability Benefits Questionnaires for this area (benefits.va.gov): Chronic Fatigue Syndrome DBQ.
Is this the current rule?
Source text. § 4.88b Schedule of ratings—infectious diseases, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies. from the eCFR (38 CFR Part 4), text up to date as of October 22, 2026, retrieved October 26, 2026. Read the section on eCFR.
Latest final rule affecting the section. 84 FR 28227 (final rule), Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies, published June 18, 2019, effective August 11, 2019. Latest entry in the section's amendment history in the eCFR.
Rule that set these criteria. 84 FR 28227, effective August 11, 2019. The 2019 final rule revised the title, criteria and note for DC 6354; CFR Appendix A dates the change August 11, 2019.
- DC 6354: Added November 29, 1994; criterion August 30, 1996; title, criterion, note August 11, 2019.
Upcoming changes. Our Federal Register search on October 26, 2026 found no final rule for this section with an effective date after that day.
Proposed rules. The search found no proposed rule that would change these criteria.
Related conditions
- Migraine: Another condition rated on how often episodes occur and how severe they are (§ 4.124a, DC 8100).
- All VA disability ratings by condition
Questions about the Chronic fatigue syndrome rating
What diagnostic code does VA use for chronic fatigue syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome is rated under diagnostic code (DC) 6354 in 38 CFR § 4.88b, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The code lists are quoted from the eCFR text current as of October 22, 2026.
What are the VA rating levels for chronic fatigue syndrome?
The schedule has 5 levels for chronic fatigue syndrome: 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 100%. Each level has its own criteria, quoted in the table on this page. VA decides which level applies to a claim.
How much is VA disability pay for a chronic fatigue syndrome rating in 2026?
VA's 2026 monthly rates for a veteran alone, with the with-spouse amount for 30% and higher, are 10%: $180.42; 20%: $356.66; 40%: $795.84 ($882.84 with a spouse); 60%: $1,435.02 ($1,566.02 with a spouse); 100%: $3,938.58 ($4,158.17 with a spouse). Rates took effect December 1, 2025. The amount you are paid depends on your combined rating, not on this condition alone.
Are ratings for chronic fatigue syndrome added to my other ratings?
No. VA does not add ratings together; it combines them using the combined ratings table in 38 CFR § 4.25. Use the VA disability calculator on this site at /va-disability-calculator/ to see how ratings combine.
What counts as incapacitation for a chronic fatigue syndrome rating?
The note under DC 6354 says that, for evaluating this disability, incapacitation exists only when a licensed physician prescribes bed rest and treatment.
When did the chronic fatigue syndrome criteria last change?
VA's final rule on infectious diseases, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies (84 FR 28227) took effect August 11, 2019. CFR Appendix A lists DC 6354 as having its title, criterion and note revised that day.
Does this page decide my VA rating?
No. FedRateCalc is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This page quotes the rating schedule and VA's published rates for information only; it is not legal or medical advice. VA decides the rating and the payment.