VA Diagnostic Code 6512Sinusitis, frontal, chronic.
Rated from 0% to 50% under § 4.97. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 50%
Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or; near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries
- 30%
Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting
- 10%
One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting
- 0%
Detected by X-ray only
General rating formula
General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514)
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician.
Chronic Frontal Sinusitis (VA Diagnostic Code 6512)
Understanding This Condition
Chronic frontal sinusitis is a condition affecting the respiratory system. The VA rates it under Diagnostic Code 6512 in § 4.97, using the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (which covers Diagnostic Codes 6510 through 6514).
Under this formula, the VA looks at how often you experience episodes of sinusitis, how severe those episodes are, and whether you've undergone surgery — including the results of that surgery.
Important definition: According to VA guidance, an incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings based on the criteria your condition meets:
50%
Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of the affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries.
30%
Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.
10%
One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.
0%
Detected by X-ray only.
What the VA Looks For
When rating chronic frontal sinusitis, the VA focuses on:
- Frequency of episodes — how many incapacitating and non-incapacitating episodes occur per year.
- Whether episodes are incapacitating — meaning they require bed rest and treatment by a physician.
- Length and type of treatment — including prolonged antibiotic treatment lasting four to six weeks.
- Symptoms during episodes — such as headaches, pain, tenderness of the affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting.
- Surgical history — including radical surgery, repeated surgeries, and the presence of chronic osteomyelitis.
- Diagnostic findings — such as sinusitis detected by X-ray.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.97, diagnostic code 6512. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
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File under diagnostic code 6512 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Respiratory System codes may cover your secondary conditions.
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