38 CFR §4.88a
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)For VA purposes, the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome requires:
- (1)new onset of debilitating fatigue severe enough to reduce daily activity to less than 50 percent of the usual level for at least six months; and
- (2)the exclusion, by history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, of all other clinical conditions that may produce similar symptoms; and
- (3)six or more of the following:
- (i)acute onset of the condition,
- (ii)low grade fever,
- (iii)nonexudative pharyngitis,
- (iv)palpable or tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes,
- (v)generalized muscle aches or weakness,
- (vi)fatigue lasting 24 hours or longer after exercise,
- (vii)headaches (of a type, severity, or pattern that is different from headaches in the pre-morbid state),
- (viii)migratory joint pains,
- (ix)neuropsychologic symptoms,
- (x)sleep disturbance.
- (b)[Reserved]