VA Diagnostic Code 6514Sinusitis, sphenoid, 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 Sphenoid Sinusitis (VA Diagnostic Code 6514)
Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97
Understanding This Condition
Chronic sphenoid sinusitis is a long-term inflammation of the sphenoid sinuses. The VA evaluates it under Diagnostic Code 6514, using the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (which covers Diagnostic Codes 6510 through 6514).
Under this formula, the VA assigns a disability rating based on how often symptoms occur, how severe they are, and whether surgery or prolonged treatment has been involved.
Key definition: An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician.
Available Rating Levels
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 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 requiring prolonged (four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting |
| 10% | One or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged (four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting |
| 0% | Detected by X-ray only |
What the VA Looks For
When rating chronic sphenoid sinusitis, the VA focuses on:
- Frequency of episodes — how many incapacitating and non-incapacitating episodes occur per year.
- Incapacitating episodes — episodes that required bed rest and treatment by a physician, including those needing prolonged antibiotic treatment lasting four to six weeks.
- Symptom characteristics — headaches, pain and tenderness of the affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting.
- Surgical history — whether radical surgery has occurred, whether chronic osteomyelitis is present, and whether symptoms persist after repeated surgeries.
- Diagnostic findings — sinusitis detected by X-ray.
Ratings range from 0% to 50% depending on how your condition matches the criteria above.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.97, diagnostic code 6514. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
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