---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 C.F.R. § 4.88a"
title: "38"
number: "4.88a"
heading: "Chronic fatigue syndrome."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/38/4.88a"
---

# §4.88a. Chronic fatigue syndrome.

- (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]

## Notes

### Amendments

[59 FR 60902, Nov. 29, 1994]

### Authority

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155, unless otherwise noted.

### Source

Source: 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[59 FR 60902, Nov. 29, 1994]