Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating disease which renders citizens and veterans totally disabled. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes CFS as a COMPENSABLE illness in military veterans. (Compensable is defined as caused by service to country). On November 29, 1994, VA amended its Schedule for Rating Disablities by adding a diagnostic code and evaluation criteria for CFS. The Social Security Administration grants disability for CFS.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Department of Viral Exanthems and Herpesvirus Branch, led by Dr. William Reeves, is in charge of CFS. On May 12, 1995, in a Congressional Hearing, Dr. Reeves named CFS a priority 1 new and reemerging infectious disease. Yet, the same CDC assigned an ICD-9 Code for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 780.7, malaise and fatigue, lethargy, tiredness. How can a disease be assigned malaise and tiredness and be an infectious disease. The veterans and citizens ill with this are caught in the middle, and most are told by their doctors that they don 't believe in it. The patient falls through the cracks without accurate diagnosis, care, benefits and services and treatment modalities. Many Gulf War 1 veterans came home with "chronic fatigue syndrome." Vietnam veterans and their families also suffer with CFS.

VVA Chapter 20 granted $1,000 to the National CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome) Foundation, Inc. in 2004. This grant funded specific research into immune studies in veterans and citizens with CFS. STAT1 protein is crucial for proper immune funciton and regulation (STAT stands for Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription--When STAT1 is missing in a newborn child, it is necessary to place them in a bubble to protect them from germs in the air.) Without STAT1, cells are unresponsive to interferons, leaving the body defenseless against viral and bacterial infections. We await the peer-review and publication of this information in a medical journal soon-to-come. CFS citizens and veterans are HIV-negative and losing their immune function--their very defense against disease.

Two pathogens (germs) are patented by the National Cancer Institute (U.S. Patent 5,604,092-Human Herpesvirus 6A/GS) and by the Department of Defense (U.S. Patent 5,242,820-Pathogenic Mycoplasma Fermentans). In both patents, CFS is listed as one of the diseases where these germs are present. Yet, this information is not presented to the medical community to whom we look for care.

Just as Vietnam veterans with Agent Orange exposure and many related health issues have struggled to receive diagnosis, benefits and services, so too are the veterans and citizens with CFS struggling. Vietnam Veterans of America and The National CFIDS Foundation, Inc. pave a path to scientific truth so that all citizens and veterans will be treated with scientific integrity and scientific truth. Today, blood will tell the truth with polymerase chain reaction DNA work and other sophisticated tests doing the talking. We, the people, who own and fund the U.S. government must always have truth. We also, as the USA, must always care for our active duty military and veterans with honesty and thoroughness when they face service-related health issues. No less will do.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #20 has donated $1,000.00 since inception to CFIDS.