If you have chronic fatigue that developed during your military service, you’ll want to understand the chronic fatigue syndrome VA rating. This post explains the rating and why Gulf War veterans should pay special attention.
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You are tired all the time, regardless of how much sleep you get. You walk around aching, with brain fog, and feeling like you have the flu. It seems like doctors tested you for everything before finally diagnosing you with chronic fatigue syndrome. But have you considered that the syndrome might be related to your military service? If you are a Gulf War veteran or you developed chronic fatigue symptoms during your military service, the condition may be related.
In this article about the chronic fatigue syndrome VA rating:
Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms in veterans
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is when you’re extremely tired, no matter how much sleep you get. Experts don’t know what causes the condition, but it presents a lot like an ongoing flu, with a myriad of symptoms.
Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, aside from fatigue, include:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Headaches
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes
- Inability to concentrate
- Forgetfulness and confusion
- Low-grade fever
- Insomnia
- Depression and mood swings
People with CFS tend to experience a period of increased symptoms after physical or mental exertion.
There isn’t a cure for the syndrome, but doctors can attempt to control symptoms through medication and other treatments.
Veterans who were deployed in combat are prone to chronic fatigue syndrome. Environmental stressors, some infections, and mental health concerns are also connected to developing CFS.
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Chronic fatigue syndrome VA rating
The VA rating for chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnostic code 6354 in the Schedule of Ratings. This DC is for infectious diseases, immune disorders, and nutritional deficiencies. The rating is based on the specific symptoms and their frequency.
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or confusion), 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 | 100% | $3,831.30 |
| Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or confusion), 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 | 60% | $1,395.93 |
| Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or confusion), 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 | 40% | $774.16 |
| Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or confusion), 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 | 20% | $346.95 |
| Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or confusion), 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 | 10% | $175.51 |
Gulf War and chronic fatigue syndrome
Gulf War veterans with chronic fatigue syndrome can receive presumptive service connections for VA disability benefits. That’s because CFS is considered a presumptive condition of Gulf War Syndrome, an unexplained group of symptoms that affect some Persian Gulf War veterans.
The criteria for a presumptive service connection for CFS include service in a recognized location, diagnosis while you were on active duty or at any time after separation, and that you’ve been ill for at least six months. This connection can be granted regardless of when after service the condition reappears.
The VA considers a qualifying Gulf War veteran anyone who served on active duty in the following locations on or after August 2, 1990:
- Afghanistan (airspace not included)
- Bahrain
- Egypt (airspace not included)
- Iraq
- Israel (airspace not included)
- Jordan (airspace not included)
- Kuwait
- Neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria (airspace not included)
- Turkey (airspace not included)
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- The waters of the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea
Note: The airspace above all of the countries and locations listed in this section is recognized unless stated otherwise.
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TDIU for chronic fatigue syndrome
A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits if they can’t maintain substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected conditions.
A person with chronic fatigue syndrome may find it almost impossible to work. In addition to the regular symptoms associated with the condition, like extreme fatigue, lack of energy, confusion, and difficulty concentrating, physical or emotional exertion can exacerbate symptoms. That means working could actually make the condition worse. Working with CFS would be like working with a bad, persistent case of the flu.
TDIU pays at the same level as a 100% disability rating, even when the veteran’s combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
How Woods and Woods can help
If you have a service-connected condition that affects your ability to live and work comfortably, you deserve the full VA disability compensation you are owed. Contact Woods and Woods today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, as you can see from this article, there are many ways to classify chronic fatigue syndrome as a disability. It even counts as a presumptive condition if you can prove that you served in the Persian Gulf at the right times. TDIU benefits are available if you are veteran who can’t work because of your service connected chronic fatigue syndrome.
As a qualifying Persian Gulf veteran, you still need to apply for chronic fatigue syndrome disability benefits, but you’ll receive a presumptive VA rating if you can prove that you served in a recognized location, you were diagnosed while you were on active duty or any time after separation, and you’ve been ill for at least six months.
No, you can still be active and only have occasional bouts of fatigue and get VA disability benefits for chronic fatigue syndrome. Many people with the condition can perform regular daily activities between bouts of symptoms.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
