{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:19.652Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Chronic fatigue syndrome","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":4709,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":9.3,"denied_pct":40.5,"remanded_pct":48.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":18.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":218,"granted_pct":6,"denied_pct":43.6,"remanded_pct":45},{"year":2018,"issues":449,"granted_pct":10,"denied_pct":34.3,"remanded_pct":51.7},{"year":2019,"issues":491,"granted_pct":6.3,"denied_pct":45.6,"remanded_pct":46.4},{"year":2020,"issues":455,"granted_pct":5.5,"denied_pct":44.2,"remanded_pct":48.6},{"year":2021,"issues":432,"granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":39.1,"remanded_pct":49.5},{"year":2022,"issues":413,"granted_pct":9.2,"denied_pct":34.1,"remanded_pct":54.5},{"year":2023,"issues":505,"granted_pct":10.3,"denied_pct":32.3,"remanded_pct":55.4},{"year":2024,"issues":584,"granted_pct":11.5,"denied_pct":36.3,"remanded_pct":51},{"year":2025,"issues":876,"granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":45.3,"remanded_pct":43.5},{"year":2026,"issues":316,"granted_pct":10.1,"denied_pct":50.6,"remanded_pct":38.9}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":69.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":643,"granted_pct_with":34.6,"granted_pct_without":15.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":3600,"granted_pct_with":17.2,"granted_pct_without":26.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":807,"granted_pct_with":37.4,"granted_pct_without":14},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":2551,"granted_pct_with":14.8,"granted_pct_without":24.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1489,"granted_pct_with":27.1,"granted_pct_without":14.5},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":252,"granted_pct_with":36.4,"granted_pct_without":17.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":3777,"granted_pct_with":17.1,"granted_pct_without":27.3},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":147,"granted_pct_with":14.9,"granted_pct_without":18.8},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":407,"granted_pct_with":13.9,"granted_pct_without":19.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":40},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":22},{"reason":"veteran is a persian gulf veteran","decisions":9},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":9},{"reason":"presumptive service connection under 38 c.f.r. § 3.317","decisions":9},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":8}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":553},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":154},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":131},{"reason":"criteria for service connection not met","decisions":90},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":80},{"reason":"no diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome","decisions":60}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005121","year":2026,"judge":"M. TENNER","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected morbid obesity; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102 criteria met"},{"case_id":"A26036293","year":2026,"judge":"M. M. CELLI","rationale":"Qualifying Persian Gulf service; Diagnosis of CFS; CFS is a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317"},{"case_id":"A26035810","year":2026,"judge":"M. M. CELLI","rationale":"Veteran served in Southwest Asia during Persian Gulf War; Credible private medical opinion established CFS diagnosis; VA examinations had factual defects and low probative value"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040887","year":2026,"judge":"M. MILLS","rationale":"No current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome; Private DBQ relied on lay reports; VA examiner found no workup meeting VA criteria"},{"case_id":"A26040523","year":2026,"judge":"M. DONOHUE","rationale":"Veteran did not meet diagnostic criteria for CFS.; No functional impairment documented for reported fatigue.; Reported fatigue considered within service-connected psychiatric disorder."},{"case_id":"A26039290","year":2026,"judge":"MARCUS N. FULTON","rationale":"STRs negative for fatigue; Post-service records did not document chronic fatigue; Lay testimony not sufficient for nexus"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}