VA Diagnostic Code 6504Nose, loss of part of, or scars:
Rated from 10% to 30% under § 4.97. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 30%
Exposing both nasal passages
- 10%
Loss of part of one ala, or other obvious disfigurement
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Or evaluate as DC 7800, scars, disfiguring, head, face, or neck.
Nose, Loss of Part of, or Scars — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 6504)
Body System: Respiratory System Regulation: 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6504
Understanding This Condition
This VA diagnostic code covers the loss of part of the nose or scars affecting the nose. It falls under the VA's rating rules for the respiratory system.
Because injuries and conditions affecting the nose can also involve visible disfigurement, the VA allows this condition to alternatively be evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7800 (scars — disfiguring, of the head, face, or neck) where appropriate.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns a disability rating based on the extent of loss or disfigurement to the nose:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 30% | Exposing both nasal passages |
| 10% | Loss of part of one ala, or other obvious disfigurement |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating this condition, the VA considers:
- The extent of tissue loss — specifically whether the loss exposes both nasal passages (higher rating) or involves the loss of part of one ala or other obvious disfigurement (lower rating).
- Obvious disfigurement of the nose as a factor at the 10% level.
- Whether the condition is better evaluated as a disfiguring scar under Diagnostic Code 7800 (scars, disfiguring, head, face, or neck), which may apply as an alternative rating approach.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6504. Individual ratings depend on the specific findings in each case.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.97, diagnostic code 6504. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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