Diagnostic Code 6354: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.88b
- Rating range
- 10% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 5
- Body system
- Infectious diseases and immune disorders
The VA rates Chronic Fatigue Syndrome under diagnostic code 6354 in 38 CFR § 4.88b. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 6354 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments, or a combination of other signs and symptoms 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 What raters look forincapacitation of at least one but less than two weeks per year; symptoms controlled by continuous medication |
| 20% | Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments, or a combination of other signs and symptoms 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 What raters look forroutine daily activities restricted by less than 25 percent of the pre-illness level; incapacitation of at least two but less than four weeks per year |
| 40% | Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments, or a combination of other signs and symptoms 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 What raters look forroutine daily activities restricted from 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level; incapacitation of at least four but less than six weeks per year |
| 60% | Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments, or a combination of other signs and symptoms 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 What raters look forroutine daily activities restricted to less than 50 percent of the pre-illness level; incapacitation of at least six weeks per year |
| 100% | Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments, or a combination of other signs and symptoms which are nearly constant and so severe as to restrict routine daily activities almost completely and which may occasionally preclude self-care What raters look forroutine daily activities restricted almost completely; may occasionally preclude self-care |
DC 6354 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 245 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 6354 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 33.5%, denied 56.3% and sent 10.2% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 6354 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 5,534 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 2021 to 2026. The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome appeals generally rather than DC 6354 specifically. The DC 6354 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 6354?
Diagnostic code 6354 is the VA rating schedule entry for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, found in 38 CFR § 4.88b. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 6354?
DC 6354 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 6354 require?
The 100% rating for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome requires: Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments, or a combination of other signs and symptoms which are nearly constant and so severe as to restrict routine daily activities almost completely and which may occasionally preclude self-care.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 6354?
In 241 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 6354 from 2021 to 2026, 32.4% were granted, 57.3% denied and 10.4% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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